DUKE  UNIVERSITY 

LIBRARY 


A  HISTORY 


OF  THE 


BAPTISTS 


IN 


WORTH    CAROLINA 


BY 

REV.   CHAS.   B.    mL-UAMS,  A.B..  B.D, 


1      -^-^ 
i      i^ 


^  •  RALEIGH 

-^  PRESSES  OF  EDIVARDS  &  BROUGNTON 


u. 


PREFACE. 


-yvj  '/:>a. 


v)uv  purpose  in  produoing'  the  followiuii-  pages  is  to  pnr 
in  vciRlable  form  the  JeeJs  of  our  Baptist  fathers  in  the 
Old  North  State.  To  write  the  history  of  the  Xorth 
C'aroliua  Baptists  is  to  tread  on  virgin  soil  The  task 
has  never  been  undertaken  before,  so  far  as  the  author 
knows.  Consequently,  we  do  not  ehiini  perfection  in 
details  of  Baptist  history  in  North  Carolina.  The  records 
were  only  }nirtially  kept  in  the  early  days,  so  that  much 
of  the  real  liistory  of  Xorth  Carolina  Baptists  luis  nevc-i^ 
been  eonmiitted  to  paper.  Taking  into  eonsideration  the 
lack  of  infornuition  in  some  places  and  superabundance  of 
it  in  others,  we  have  tried  to  make  a  connected  history, 
dealiug  with  all  characters  and  events  with  an  impartial 
pen.  J\lany  heroes  hav(>  not  a  place  in  tliis  narrative,  ' 
because  scarcely  anything- has  been  preserved  from  their 
lives  of  heroism. 

We  make  special  acknowledgments  to  J.  W.  Bailey, 
editor  of  the  BihJical  Becorderj  B.  W.  Spilman,  Sunday 
School  Missionary  of  the  Convention ;  J.  E.  White,  Sec- 
retary of  the  Convention,  who  have  given  us  valuable  facts. 
Especially  do  we  acknowledge  our  indebtedness  to  the 
Historical  Papers,  published  at  Henderson,  X.  C.,  by  Dr. 
Hufham  and  brother  Pittman. 

We  have  consulted  the  following  sources  for  the  facts 
forming  the  basis  of  this  history:  Morgan  Edward-i,  man- 
nscript  History  of  Early  "N'orth  Carolina  Baptists ;  Bene- 
dict, History  of  the  Baptists  in  tlie  United  States;  Armi- 


Copyright  1901 


C .    B .    Williams 


VUl  PRKKACH. 

tfige,  History  of  the  JBiqjtists;  jSrewman,  History  of  jlio 
Baptist  Chiu'clu's  in  the  United  States;  ijackiis,  History 
of  the  JJaptists  in  JSJew  England;  Barrage,  History  of  the 
Baptists  in  New  England ;  Cramp,  Baptist  History ;  Ve J- 
der,  Short  History  of  the  Baptists ;  Vcdder,  History  of 
tlie  Baptists  in  the  Middle  States ;  Biley,  History  of  the 
Baptists  in  the  Southern  States;  Pnrcfov,  .]..l,istory__of_Jlib 
Sandy  Oroek  Association;  Bigus... History  of  the  Kehrdvi^i]i- 
Assoeiation ;  Cassell,  History  of  the  ivelnikee  Association; 
JIufham.  lienioir  of  J.  L.  Pritchard;  Historical  Papers, 
published  at  Henderson,  N.  C. ;  Beale-Semple,  Histci'y 
of  the  llise  and  Progress  of  Baptists  in  Virginia ;  Sinitli^ 
History  of  Education  in  Nortli  Carolina ;  Taylor,  Histci'y 
of  English  General  Baptists ;  Standard  Histories  of  ISTorth 
Carolina;  Standard  Histories  of  the  United  States;  ]\Iin- 
ntes  of  the  State  Convpiitjon  of  7\T"rivi1i  CnvnllH^-  Minutes 
of  the  Associations ;  White  and  Ray,  Leaflets  on  State  ]!*iis- 
sions  in  North  Carolina ;  Spilman,  Leaflet  on  Sunday 
"Scliool  Work  in  North  Carolina;  Dorchester,  Christianity 
in  the  United  States;  Tnpper,  Foreign  j\Iissions  of  llie 
Southern  Baptist  Convention  ;  Eoreign  Mission  Jonrnsls  ; 
American  Baptist  Year  Book ;  English  Baptist  Year  Book.  . 


CONTENTS. 


Part  I— Pichiou  of  Persecution. 

CHAPTEH  PAGE. 

I — Origin  of  North  Carolina  Baptists     1 

II— The  Days  Before  Uhurclies  A-r(jse  ...    _  (i 

III — Tiie  Motlier  Churcli  of  tiie  Denomination 10 

IV— Baptists  on  tlie  Yadlcin 10 

V — Rise  and  (irowth  of  Sandy  Creek  Association 21 

./      VI— Rise  and  Growth  of  the  Keliukee  Association   27 

VII — Conflict  witli  the  State  Church. 33 

VIII -Baptists  Persecuted - - 40 

IX— Baptists  and  Liberty 4() 

X — Baptists  and  the  Revolution 51 

XI — Some  Baptist  Preacheisof  tiie  Old  Type aG 

PaKT    II — PkRIuI>   of   OHOANIZ.VTION. 

XII — Rise  and  Growth  of  the  State  Convention ..    .  71- 

t/-    XIII— The  Biblical  Recorder 78 

./  XIV— Wake  Forest  College Hov 

XV — North  Carolina  Baptists  and  Foreign  ^Missions 100  '\ 

XVI— North  Carolina  Baptists  and  State  Missions. lOti  '^•■ 

XVII— Associations  Organized ...: 112 

XVIII— Work  of  ani(jn  Meetings 135 

XIX  — North  Carolina  Baptists  and  Sunday  Seliools 139- 

XX — The  Western  Convention. 144 

XXI— Baptist  Orphanage  at  Tiioniasville MO 

Part  III— Peiuod  of  E.yi'ansio.n 

XXII  — Tlie  Days  of  Darkness 155 

XXIII— Colored  Baptists I(i0 

-/  XXIV  -  Baptists  and  Popular  Education 107-^' 

v'    XXV— Baptists  and  Higher  Education 172  - 

/ XXVI— Baptists  and  Female  Education ...   , 170  - 

XXVII— The  Work  of  Our  Baptist  Women 1S8 

XXVKI— Care  for  Our  Aged  Ministers 103 

XXIX — The  Chautau(]ua  Movement -  -  f  ^'i 

'      XXX— (Jur  Heroes  Abroad. 200 

■  XX.XI— North  Carolina  Baptists  in  Literature   .      201 

XXXTI  —  lieview,  View  and  Preview ..  310 


\ll 


,4 


INTRODUCTION. 

The  history  of  any  poo]>lo  must  be  viowod  both  exten- 
sively   and    intonsively-there   liiust    be    a    broa.l,    philo- 
sophic treatment  of  the  nuiterial  as  a  whole;  there  niust 
dso  be  exhaustive  investigation  of  the  separate  parts,    ihe 
Time  for  writin-  the  history  of  the  American  Baptists  ex- 
tensively has  not  yet  come,  but  nothing  will  do^more  to 
hasten  its  coming  than  the  preparation  of  such.  State  his- 
tories as  this  vobune  on  the  Baptists  of  North  (^irolina. 
The  author' had  excellent  precedent  for  his  labors,  if  he 
nec-ded  any,  in  the  work  of  our  pioneer  Ba])tist  historian, 
that  able  and  eccentric  divine,  ]\rorgan  Edwards.      .Mr.  Ed- 
wards made  many  long  and  venturesome  journeys,   con- 
ducted  a   volmninous   correspondence    and    examined    all 
pudnted  material  available  in  his  day,  in  the-  preparation 
of  his  "Materials  Tou-ards  a  TTistcn-y  of  the  Baptists."    1  h(> 
presenr-dav   writer  has  the  way  very  mueh  smoothed  lor 
hiui;  bht  if  he  is.  as  diligent  and  aeeurate  in   proportion, 
future  generations  will  ])e  as  grateful  to  him  as  we  aVi^  To 

Edwards. 

There  is  an  obvious  propriety  in  making  these  separate 
studies  of  Baptist  history  by  States.  State  lines,  wholly 
artificial  in  the  beginning,  have  become  something  much 
more  than  this  in  our  older  commonwealths.  This^  sc-p- 
aration  of  law  corresponds  to  distinctions  of  fact.  Varia- 
tions or  original  immigration,  differences  of  natural  con- 
ditions, and  a  thousand  other  things,  have  given  the  p<'0- 
ple  of  each  State  a  distinct  type  of  physical  a])poaranee. 


/ 


IV  INTRODUCTION.  '  •    '     . 

spec'C'li  and  cliavacter.  Each  generation  thus  far  has 
rather  accentnated  than  diminished  these  dift'erences,  TJio 
time  may  come  ^^■llen  these  different  characteristics  will 
become  so  perfectly  blended  as  to  make  a  physical  and 
moral  amalgam,  of  Avhich  the  component  ])arts  A\'ill  bo  in- 
distinguishable. There  is  no  prospect,  however,  that  this 
day  will  be  within  the  lifetime  of  any  of  us,  and  one  nnjy 
be  pardoned  perhaps  for  expressing  the  opinian  that  such 
a  residt  would  be  a  distinct  loss.  The  present  variation* 
of  ty])e  add  flavor  and  picturesqueness  to  American  society, 
and  their  disa])pearanco  would  make  of  the  American  peo 
pie  as  ilat  and  uninterosting  a  nation  as  dwells  on  the 
globe. 

These  variations  of  type  have  had  their  influence,  often 
a  strongly  nnirked  influence,  u]3on  the  history  of  American 
Christianity.  This  has  been  displayed  not  only  in  the  rise- 
of  sects  and  instittitions  pectiliar  to  this  region  or  that, 
btit  in  the  history  of  each  denomination.  In  the  growth 
of  the  Baptist  denomination  this  influence  is  easilj'  traced. 
With  a  unity  in  essentials  that  is  the  astonishment,  and 
almost  the  envy,  of  otluT  Christians,  our  churclies  liave 
always  been  characterized  by  a  remarkable  diversity  iii 
local  customs,  local  ideals,  local  institutions.  State  pride, 
State  feeling,  whatever  we  may  name  it,  has  also  been 
a  modifying  force  to  which  our  historians  have  hitherto 
ascribed  too  little  weight.  Thus  it  happens  that  the  Ba]v 
tists  of  Xorth  Carolina,  while  their  early  history  is  inti- 
mately connected  with  the  Baptists  of  the  two  nearest 
colonies,  Virginia  and  South  Carolina,  while  they  have 
always  been  in  fraternal  co-operation  with  their  brethren 
elsewhere,  Itave  a  story  of  their  own  that  is  well  w(U'tl\ 


INTRODUCTION.  ^  V 

telling.  Tlie  saiiK'  is  true  of  the  Jiaptists  oi'  (ivery  other 
State,  at  least  in  the  older  portions  of  our  country.  Hence, 
the  importance  and  value  of  State  histories  of  the  worlc 
Baptists  have  accomplished  from  the  beginning  until  now. 
I  liave  been  in  the  habit  of  advising  ni}'  students,  jf 
they  Ijave  a  liking  for  historical  investigation,  to  under- 
take "a  monograph  on  some  local  subject,  and  thus  secure 
the  preservation  of  much  valuable  material  that  otherwise 
will  very  likely  l>e  lost  to  future  tiislorians.  Whether 
in  consequence  of  this  advice,  or  of  his  own  inward  im- 
pulse, ]\Ir.  Williams  undertook  his  task,  1  do  not  know. 
1  do  know,  however,  that  as  a  student  he  showed  more 
than  usual  into'cst  and  in'oficiency  in  the  work  of  histor 
ical  reseai'ch,  and  that  he  has  done  this  work  co))  auiorc 
T  read  the  manuscript  critically  some  months  ago,  and 
liad  no  hesitation  in  cordially  recommending  its  publica- 
tion. T  am  glad  that  it  is  now  to  be  given  to  the  Baptist 
brotherhood,  and  to  the  world  at  large,  and  hojie  that  it 
will  receive  the  welcome  aiul  reading  that  it  am])ly  merits. 
May  his  example  stimulate  others  of  our  younger  scholars 
to  go  and  do  likewise ! 

IIexry  C.  Vic  DDE  r. 
Crozer  THEOLoaiCAL  Seminary,  June  30,  1901. 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Baptists  in  North  Carolina. 


PART  I— PERIOD  OF  PERSECUTION. 


CHAPTER  I. 

TIIK    OUrUIN'    OF    Xoirni     CAKOLIXA    liAI'TIS'l'S. 

We  arc  standiiii;'  on  tlit'  hank  of  a  lovely  vivcr  \vlu)se 
v'atcrs  boar  n])(ni  their  bosom  the  ships  of  eomuierce  and 
bring-  to  ns  the  breezes  of  a  liealthful  eliniate.  We  natn- 
rallv  wish  to  know  its  rise.  We  would  like  to  know  the 
hill,  or  mountain,  in  (he  hii;,hlands,  which  sends  forlh  the 
beautiful  river  of  blessin<2,'  to  nature,  beasts  antl  nuMi. 

vSo  we  stand  to-day  on  the  bank  of  anothei"  river — the 
stream  of  Xoi'th  (\irolina  na])tist  history.  On  its  bosom 
it  has  carried  tlie  gospel  of  ''Christ  Jesus  and  11  im  ernci- 
fied"  and  borne  the  breezes  of  heavenly  refreshing  to  thou- 
sands of  sin-sick  souls.  We  ask,  Where  did  this  stream 
take  its  rise  ^  What  is  the  origin  of  that  great  host  of 
Christians  known  as  the  Xorth  Carolina  Baptists  ? 

It  has  been  very  generally  believed  that  the  lirst  Bap- 
tist settlers  in  the  old  Albemarle  Colony  came  from  Vir- 
ginia, Bnt  recent  investigations  seem  against  such  an 
opinion. ^/l)r.  Tvlley,  in  his  "History  of  the  Baptists  in  the 
Southern  States  j^ast  of  the  ]\rississippi,"  says:  ''It  has 
beetj  assnme<l  that  the  T^ortli  Carolina  Baptists  were  emi- 


2  A  HISTORY  OF  THK  BAPTISTS 

grants  from  \''irginia;  wlicii,  for  reasons  already  given, 
u  reversal  of  the  presumption  would  bo  more  credible.  Foi- 
from  a  period  when  the  chnrch  was  established  upon  the 
Chowan  to  1755,  a  period  of  twenty-eight  years,  the  pros- 
perity of  the  iYorth  Carolina  Baptists  was  phenomenaL 
1'hey  not  only  grew  rapidly  in  numbers,  but  they  were 
rennirkably  aggressi\'c.  During  this  same  period  the  Bap- 
tists of  tidewater  Virginia  were  a  struggling  and  unpro- 
grcssive  folk." 

/-'Another  Bajitist  historian,  of  high  repute  for  original 
investigation,  thinks  that  "if  the  truth  were  brought  forth, 
it  is  Ix'lieved  tiiat  a  number  of  Baj)tist  cliurches  were  in 
existence  here  between  tlu?  years  10!»0  and  17"27.".-  This 
same  historian  controverts  the  idea  that  i^orth  Carolina 
Ba})tists  derived  their  origin  from  Virginia,  and  inti- 
mates that  Virginia  Baptists  may  have  derived  their  origin 
from  North  Carolina. 

Then,  where  nuist  we  look  for  the  rise  of  the  historic 
host  of  Xorth  (Carolina  Baptists  '^  It  is  most  likely  that 
our  Ba])tist  forefathers  found  their  way  from  the  persecu- 
tions of  the  Kew  England  States.  In  January,  1G3G, 
Roger  Williams  was  banished  from  Massachusetts  Bay 
Colony,  and  then  founded  Bhode  Island,  the  first  State 
on  eartii  that  ]iosscssed  complete  religious  liberty.  From 
this  time  on,  for  over  a  century,  tlie  "dissenters"  were 
hotly  ])ersecutcd  in.  jSTew  England.  Especially  was  this 
true  of  the  Baptists  and  the  Quakers.  These  sects  in 
New  England  were  the  objects  of  the  bitterest  persecu- 
tions that  were  ever  inllicted  on  aiiy  religious  sect.  i\fany 
an  honored  Quaker  could  sli])  aside  his  ancient  queue  and 
show  the  sear  which  nuirked  the  lost  ear  cut  off  because  he 
dissented   from    the   Established    Church.     BajDtist^    had 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  3 

their  tongues  bored   through  with  red-hot  irons  for  the 
"rights  of  conscience." 

The  case  of  Obadiah  Hohnes  is  familiar.      He  was  an 
honored  Baptist  minister  of  'New  England  and  liad  been 
unmercifully  whipped  for  holding  a  religious  meeting  in 
Boston   "contrary  to  law."     The  house  of  worship  had 
l)cen  nailed  u])  and  the  members  "fined  and  imprisoned  by 
order  of  the  General  Court."  In  almost  every  colony  north  /— 
of  Albemarle,  except  Rhode  Island,  the  cradle  of  America's 
religious   liberty,    such    scenes   of   persecution    prevailed. 
Preachers  without  orders   from   the  Established   Church 
\vere  forbidden  to  preach.      Settlers  were  denied  the  rights  ^ 
of  citizenship,  unless  they  owned  allegiance  to  the  Estab- 
lished Church.      So  hundreds  of  these  outlawed  noblemen  < 
of  God  were  ever  fleeing  from  such  scenes  of  persecution 
iiud  seeking  refuge  i]i  regions  tlionght  to  be  more  favorable 
to  ]-eligious  liberty. 

'AVilliam  Screven,  of  pjoston,  founded  a  Baptist  ('liurch 
a1  Ivitterv,  Araino,  1(JS2.  But  the  lumd  of  jiorsecntion 
agtiin  |)ut  to  flight  the  Jittle  church,  and  they  moved  to 
("liarleston  where  they  organized  the  first  church  in  South 
Carolina  in  1683.K  Altliough  history  is  apparently  silent  c- 
on  this  ])oint,  it  is  not  improl)able  that  many  of  these  per- 
secuted heroes  of  Xorthern  colonies  took  refuge  in  the 
Albemarle  region,  which  always  opened  its  doors  of  liberty 
to  all  tbe  oppressed  for  "conscience  sake."  This  is  ren-£__ 
dered  ]nore  probable  by  the  civil  history  of  tliis  period. 
In  100,j,  John  Archdalc,  a  Quaker,  became  Governor  of 
the  two  Carolinas.  Prior  to  his  appointment  he  liad  vis- 
ited the  Albemarle  (■olony  during  the  contest  between 
the  (Quakers  and  the  Episcopalians  about  tlio  State  Churcli 


4  A  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

jiiiil  shown  himself  the  friend  of  religious  liberty.  His 
elevation  to  be  Governor  of  the  Colony  wonld  naturally 
attract  to  Carolina  tlie  persecuted  dissenters  of  other  colo- 
nies, the  Eajjtists  as  well  as  the  Quakers,  for  both  theso 
bccts  stood  together  in  their  sufl'ei'ings  for  religious  lib- 
erty. The  ])eople  of  Albemarle  had  rejected  the  Funda- 
mental (.Constitutions  of  John  Locke  and  the  Lords  Pro- 
prietors, in  the  language  of  Chalmers,  "in  despair  seemed 
to  have  relinquished  them  to  their  own  management  in 
1()'J5,  without  inquiry,  for  seven  j'-ears  afterward,  whether 
iliey  lu'ospered  or  declined.  During  that  gloomy  period 
New  Kiigland  iilone  cultivated  her  foi'iner  eonnnercial 
conneetiolis  with  them,  su])})lyiug  their  inconsiderable 
wants,  and  carrying  their  tobacco  and  corn,  without  re- 
straint, wherever  interest  directed  hei'  traders."  Thei'e- 
fore,  it  is  probahk'  and  ahnnst  certain  that  these  relations 
of  Albenntrle  with  New  luigland  and  the  prospects  of  re- 
ligions freedom  in  the  Southern  (\)lony  brought  liberty- 
loving  setllei's  foi'm  Xew  England  to  build  liomes  in  the 
•forests  of  Carolina.  Among  these  settlers  were  Baptisis 
who  sul)sequent]y  organized  and  built  Baptist  churches. 
\J  In  1(588  there  were  only  1-i  Baptist  churches  in  all 
America — 7  in  Ivhode  Island,  3  in  Massachusetts,  2  in 
Bcnnsyh'ania,  1  in  Xew  Mersey,  and  the  one  in  Cliarleston, 
South  Carolina,  whicli  had  emigrated  from  Mainc^  Doubt- 
less there  were  nurny  not  members  of  these  14  churches 
wlio  were  Baptists  in  doctrine,  but  scattered  over  the  vari- 
ous colonies  were  fleeing  hitlier  and  thither  to  find  a  home 
where  they  might  worship  God  according  to  the  "dictates 
of  their  own  conscience."  These  ^\'andering,  persecuted 
saint.s,   according  to  the  best  historical  light,  nnist  ha\-c 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  5 

gireii  US  the  original  Baptists  of  North  Carolina,  from 
^\■hic•h  small  beginning  have  grown  the  many  clmrehes  and 
the  \-ast  host  of  Ba])tists  in  the  limits  of  the  ''Old  iSIorth 
State."  These  refugees  for  religions  freedom  found  a 
peaeefnl  home  in  the  counties  north  of  Albemarle  Sonne' 
and  doubtless  gave  us  the  names  of  John  and  Joseph  Par- 
ker, John  Jordan,  Benjamin  Evans,  Thomas  Parker, 
John  ^Velch,  James  Copeland,  William  Copeland,  John 
and  ]\Iichael  Brinkley,  recorded  on  the  roll  of  the  first  Bap- 
list  church  in  Carolina. 

Then  back  to  the  persecutions,  not  of  Virginia,  but  of 
Xew  England,  we  have  traced  the  origin  of  ]^Tortli  Caro- 
lina liaptists.  We  might  trace  them  still  further  back  to 
the  ]:)ersecuted  Baptists  of  England  and  these,  in  princi- 
j)le  and  doctrine,  if  not  in  organization,  we  could  trace 
back  to  Paul  who  styled  the  church  "the  pillar  and  ground 
of  the  truth" ;  to  Christ  himself,  who  said,  "On  this  rock 
I  will  build  my  churcli  and  the  gates  of  hell  shall  not  ]u-e- 
vail  against  it." 


6  A  HISTORY  OF  THK  BAPTISTS 

Ce APTEK  II. 

Tin-:   BAYS    BEFORE    CIIUUCIIES   AROS?. 

It  was  seventy  years  after  the  failure  of  Kaleigli's  colo- 
nies before  the  first  permanent  settlers  were  led  across 
tlie  ])orders  from  Virginia  and  found  an  unmolested  home 
in  the  wilds  of  Albemarle.  This  was  in  1655.  It  is  not 
certain  that  any  Baptists  were  among  these  first  settlers 
in  our  State.  "It  is  usually  believed  that  for  thirty  or 
tliirty-five  years  there  were  no  Baptists  in  the  Colony  of 
Carolina.  j^Morgan  Edwards,  who  traveled  extensively  in 
Xortli  (-arolina  to  pick  up  bits  of  Baptist  history,  says, 
''There  were  Baptists  in  North  Carolina  as  early  as  1G95." 
But  there  were  no  chnrches  for  a  third  of  a  century  after 
,this. 

\/  ^,  Another  Baptist  historian  is  of  opinion  that  there  were 
Baptists  in  iNortli  Carolina  as  early  as  1G90.      Still  others 

.  thinlc  tliat  there  were  Baptist-s  from.  1G55,  that  is,  from  the 
time  of  the  first  ])ermanent  setlemcnt,  and  that  ]5a]jtist  his- 
tory in  the  State  is  as  old  as  its  civil  and  political  history. 
This  is  probable,  though  it  is  mere  speculation.  Morgan 
Edwards  says  that  Baptists  were  known  to  be  in  iSTorth 
Carolina  as  early  as  1095.  This  is  as  far  back  as  we  can 
positively  trace  the  hist^iry.  The  tide  of  Baptists  began  to 
pour  in  upon  the  shores  of  the  State  sometime  during  the 
last  quarter  of  the  17th  century.  This  does  not  mean  that 
there  were  any  -Baptist  churclies  as  early  as  that  date. 

What  were  our  Baptist  forefathers  doing  during  that 
perio'd  ?  We  must  remember  that  only  a  small  proportion  of 
the  peojfie  in   the  colony  for  the  first  Imlf  century  were 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  7 

Baptists.  '  Eev.  lAx.  Blair,  of  the  EstalDlishod  Church, 
tolls  us  that  in  lYOl  there  were  four  classes  of  people  in 
North  (Carolina:  ''I^'irst,  the  Quakers,  who  were  the  most 
powerful  enemies  to  the  Church  Government,  but  a  people 
very  ig-norant  of  what  they  professed.  The  second  sort 
are  a  great  many  wlio  have  no  religion,  hut  would  be  Qua- 
kers, if  hy  that  they  were  not  obliged  to  lead  a  more  moral 
life  ihan  they  are  willing  to  comply  to.  A  third  sort  are 
something  like  Presbyterians,  which  sort  is  upheld  by 
some  idle  fellows  who  have  left  their  lawful  employment 
ami  jU'cach  and  baptize  ihrough  the  country,  without  any 
maimer  of  orders  from  any  sect  or  pretended  church.  A 
fourih  sort,  who  are  really  zealous  for  the  interests  of  the 
churchT^re  fcAver  in  nundier,  but  the  better  sort  of  people, 
and  \vould  do  very  much  for  the  settlement  of  the  Church 
Government  there,  if  not  opposed  to  these  precedent  sects." 
According  to  this  E])iscopal  minister,  twenty-three  years 
before  the  first  Baptist  church  was  organized,  the  Quakers 
wt^i'c  consi(h'red  'Mhe  most  powerful  eiiemics  to  the  Church 
Government:/'  and  the  members  of  the  Established  Church 
were  thought  tlie  "better  sort  of  people,"  while  the  Bap- 
tists, the  third  class,  were  said  to  be  "upheld  by  some 
idle  fellows  who  have  left  their  lawful  employment."  We 
learn  from  this  letter  of  Air.  Blair  that  the  Baptists  united 
with  the  Quakers  in  o])pusing  the  settlement  of  the  Church 
of  England  as  the  State  Church  in  North  Carolina. 

These  days  wore  days  of  darkness  and  struggle  for  our 
P.':ipt?>'t^pionecrs,  days  in  which  they  must  secure  a  foot- 
hold and  establish  themselves  as  citizens  of  the  new  colony. 
They  were  busy  clearing  up  the  foi-ests  and  building  rude 
lionses. 


b  A   IirSTORV  OK  THE  BAPTISTS 

Tlic  \lvd  Mail,  loo,  was  always  suspicions  oi"  the  White 
^lau  and  was  cvor  on  the  war-path.  So  tlie  early  settlers 
ninst  watch  their  constant  foe  and  shield  their  nowly- 
Lnilded  homes  from  tlie  ravages  of  the  Eed  Man's  rage. 
Thongh  nuiny  Indians,  like  J\lanteo  of  Ivoanoke,  embraced 
the  Christian  faith  and  became  the  White  Plan's  friend, 
still  the  great  mass  of  Red  Men  hated  tlieir  white  iieigh- 
bors  and  were  ever  la^'ing  plots  to  massacre  the  settlers  and 
devastate  the  settlements. 

.  ]\Ioi'eover,  onr  fathers  had  political  problems  to  solve. 
The  Lords  Prpprietors,  who  virtnally  owned  the  colony 
until  172i),  were  constantly  trampling  on  the  rights  of  the 
peojde  ami  emptying  their  pockets  of  their  hard-earned 
means.  iVltJiough  the  ])eo])le  had  set  aside  the  Fundamen- 
tal (\jnstitntit)ns  and  asserted  theii;  rights  to  govern  thcm,.- 
sclves,  yet  the  Lords  Proprietors  were  planning  liow  they 
might  tighten  the  yoke  of  foreign  government  u])on  the 
necks  of  Carolina's  i)eo])le.  Lord  (Marendon,  one  of  these 
Pr()priet(jrs,  was  holding  out  the  inducement  of  lil)erty  to 
the  I'efngecs  from  ihe  Noi'tliern  (-olonies  and  from  1-hig- 
land,  but  at  home  lie  was  forging  })olitical  chains  with 
which  to 'fasten  the  ])eople.  New  settlers  were  pointed  to 
the  star  of  freeiloni  witiiin  the  borders  of  Carolina,  bnt  as 
sfton  as  they  reached  the  Albemarle,  the  I^ords  Proprie- 
tors began  to  tighten  tin?  reins  of  a  foreign  governm.ent. 
The  promise  of  liberty  brought  the  hunted  lierocs  frcnn 
the  Nortliern  Colonies,  but  on  arriving  in  Carolina  tliey 
found,  not  lil)erty  bnt  op])ression,  '  So  they  mnst  rpc^^/i 
those  early  years  iu  struggling  for  freedom. 

More  tlian  ibis,  as  hinted  before,  there  was  a  sharper 
conllict  between  the  Establishment  and  its  opiiononts.   We 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  9 

will  trace  this  conflict  in  a  subsequent  chapter.  But  let 
us  not  forget  at  this  point  that  the  ijaptists  Avith  all  the 
otJier  lojal  citizens  were  then  shaping  the  destiny  of  the 
grand  old  State  and  paving  the  way  for  a  golden  future 
of  political  and  religious  prosperity. 

But  we  must  not  suppose  that  these  pioneers  were  neg- 
lectful of  religion  and  oblivious  of  sacred  duties.  It  is 
true,  they  had  no  churches  organized  and  no  meeting- 
houses built.  Still  there  were  preachers  of  righteousness 
among  them,  and  they  found  meeting-houses  beneath  the 
beautiful  trees  of  the  Carolina  forests.  Nature's  lovely 
groves  along  the  rivers  and  beside  the  lulls  were  used  in- 
stead of  meeting-liouses,  where  hundreds  of  these  noble- 
hearted  saints  of  old  were  gathered  to  worship  "under 
their  own  vine  and  fig\  tree."  Here,  beneatli  the  smiling 
face  of  a  friendly  sky,  they  read  tlie  Bible,  ofl'ered  prayer, 
preached  and  sang  the  songs  of  redeeming  grace. 

But  tliese  open-air  meetings  wei-e  disagreeable  to  tlu; 
Establlslnnont,  and  so  it  souglit  to  prevent  such  re1igi(Uis 
gatherings  in  the  groves  and  by  the  i-iver  baid^s.  In  tlie 
law  of  1715  a  clause  was  directed  against  these  nu'ctinu'S 
of  the  Baptists.  It  was  required  that  meetings  of  '"dis- 
senters" should  be  public.  Bu.t  the  authorities  could  not 
enforce  such  a  law  against  these  meetings.  Only  once,  ac- 
cording to  the  record,  a  Baptist  preacher  was  stopped  in 
his  discourse.  T]io  Establishuumt  was  too  weak  to  stop  tlie 
preaching  of  the  trutli  by  those  heroic  men  of  God.  So 
on  rolled  tlio  blessed  river  of  Baptist  liistory, 
j/'^Thus  in  North  Carolina,  as  elscwiiere,  it  has  been  the 
heaven-given  ]jrerogative  of  Ba])tists  to  sliow  the  world 
tliat  the  gospel,  wlion  stand  lug  on  its  own  nu'rit-s,  is  the 


lO  A   HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

power  of  God,  but  when  bolstered  by  the  civil  government, 
is  the  Aveakness  of  nicn.  Lot  us  now  turn  aside  and  glance 
for  a  few  pages  at  the  rise  and  development  of  the  first 
Baptist  church  in  the  State.  Here  starts  the  real  history 
of  the  Baptists  in  the  Old  Xorth  State. 


■i 


CHAPTER  III. 

THE   OLDEST   BAPTIST   CnUI^Clf    IX   NORTTI    CAKOLIXA. 

The  Episcopalians  had  built  their  first  house  of  worship 
in  1701,  in  Chowan  County;  the  Quakers  had  followed  in 
17Ui  with  their  first  church,  in  Percpiinums  County.  ^Thc 
Baptists,  who  each  year  had  been  increasing  rapidly  and 
coming  into  greater  imj)ortance,  started  their  first  church 
in  1Y27. 

The  location  of  this  first  Baptist  church  in  j^orth  Caro- 
lina has  bc'i'H  a  knolly  ])roblein.  Some  histoi'ians  say  it 
was  located  In  l.^iiscjiiotauk,  some  say  on  the  Chowan,  some 
say  in  Peniuimans,  while  still  others  say  it  was  in  Cam- 
den.    Let  us  sift  the  facts. 

In  1727,  the  year  in  wliich  Sir  Jvichard  J'^vcrhard  came 
over  from  England  to  become  Governor  of  the  Colony, 
Paul  Palmer  came  from  Welsh  Tract,  Delaware,  aiid  or- 
ganized the  first  Baptist  church  in  North  Carolina.  Pal- 
mer was  a  natives  of  iMaryhmd,  was  bnjitized  at  Welsh 
Tract,  Dchuvare,  by  Thomes  Owens,  pa.stor  at  that  place, 
and  was  ordained  in  Conuecitieut,  lie  })rea('hed  over  a 
great  part  of  the  latter  State,  in  New  Jersey,  and  in^iVlary- 
land.  At  last  he  turned  his  face  southward  and  met  the 
struggling,   scattered  Baptists  of   the  Albemarle  Colony. 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.      .  II 

Jle  was  a  man  of  intelligence,  and  was  so  attractive 
tliat  lie  dj'ew  liiindrecls  to  liis  side.  His  ])0\ver  conld 
not  be  checked  by  the  Establishment.  Governor  Ever- 
hard,  in  1729,  wrote  to  the  Bishop  in  London  that 
it  was  "impossible  to  stop  him."  He  was  a  land- 
owner and  a  slaveholder  and  stood  high  among  tlie  peojde. 
Having  come  in  touch  with  the  persecuted  Baptists  of  !New 
England,  and  thus  having  his  spirit  quickened  and  his 
methods  formed  for  a  larger  work,  he  settled  in  Perquim- 
ans County  and  organized  the  first  Baptist  church  in 
North  Carolina. 

Though  tliis  church  was  organized  in  Porquiinajjs,  its 
local  habitation  soon  came  to  be  in  Camden.  In  other 
words,  this  first  church  had  an  "arm"  in  Perquimans  and 
an  ''arm"  in  Camden.  These  arms  in  the  early  history  of 
Baptist  cliurclies  consisted  of  groups  of  members  in  any 
gi\Tn  community,  or  county,  as  in  tlie  present  instance.  The 
group  at  Perquimans  did  not  fiourisli,  because  the  Quakers 
were  dominant  in  Pertpiiuuuis,  the  home  of  tlie  noted 
George  Durant.  Even  Xo  this  day  it  is  a  C;^uaker  strong- 
hold.^ 

The  other  branch,  located  in  Camden,  not  far  fi'om  the 
Pasquotank  lliver,  was  niore  favorably  situated.  H  was 
•along  the  line  of  the  old  stage  route  from  Edenton  to  IsTor- 
folk.  This  brought  tlie  ])eo])le  of  (\im(hni  in  touch  Avdtli 
Virginia  and  the  iSTortliern  Colonies.  At  any  rate,  we 
kriow  tJiat  the  "'anii"  in  (Jamden  ('(mtiiuied  to  grow  in 
numbers  and  power  and  soon  became  the  centre  of  inOu- 
encje  for  Mie  early  Jhiptists  of  the  iVlbemarle  region. 
Hence  tlie  cliurch  came  to  be  known  as  the  Church  in 
Camden.      It  lield  this  name  until  1790,  Avhen  it  was  styled 


12  A  HISTORY  OF  TIIK  BAPTISTS 

"lliG  Church  at  Shiloli."  In  this  year  Sinvyor's  Creek 
■  (Miui'eh  was  oraanizccl.  'J'liis  caused  tlie  change  of  name. 
i  From  tliese  facts  we  see  that  Shiloh  Chiireli  is  the  mother 
cluirch  of  iVorth  Carolina  Ba])tists,  /     - 

Pan!  Pahner  was  the  first  pastor  at  Shiloh.  Ho  was  a 
man  of  the  Apostle  Paul's  type.  Ho  was  constantly  trav- 
eling from  ])]ace  to  place,  organizing  clmrches,  as  the 
Apostle  did.  ]\iorgan  Edwards  tells  us  that  Palmer  ex- 
tended his  labors  as  far  south  as  Soiitli  Carolina  and  on 
■the  north  up  to  the  Virginia  line.  He  was  not  only  pas- 
tor of  Shiloh,  but  was  also  tlie  missionary  of  Eastern  Caro- 
lina. 

After  Palmer  fIose])li  and  William  Parker  became,  in 
succession,  ])astors  of  Shiloh  church.  'I'lny  were  suc- 
ceeded by  William  Burgess.  He  was  a  man  of  fervent 
piety  and  of  wide  influence,  being  beloved  by  the  people. 
He  gave  to  the  world  two  Baptist  preachers,  his  sons  John 
and  William,  the  formei-  of  whom  was  a  man  of  superior 
abilities.  A  third  sou,  J)empsy,  was  a  Lieutenant  (\}lo- 
nel  during  the  Revolution,  a  member  of  the  Halifax  Con- 
vention of  17T(),  and  afterward  a  member  of  the  Congress 
of  the  United  States, 

Henry  Abbot  was  the  successor  of  William  Burgess,  Sr. 
His  fathei",  ,]ohn  Abbot,  was  Canon  of  St.  Paul's,  in  Lon- 
don. Tn  1705,  Henry  iVbbot,  while  quite  young,  came 
over  to  (^arolina  and  took  employment  as  a  teacher.  On 
coming  in  contact  with  the  Baptists,  he  cnubraced  their 
views.  He  was  ])opular,  and  Shiloh  floui'ished  uTider  his 
ministry.  In  fact,  he  was  Ihe  uiost  ])o|)nlar  man  in  tln^ 
coh)ny  in  llioso  ihiys.  lie  was  a  nuMuber  of  l\\c  Ilalilnx 
Convention  of  1770,  and  was  on  the  committee  to  ]n'e])aro 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  I  3 

the  draught  of  tJie  Constitution,  and  is  said  to  have  pLayed 
the  cliief  })ai't  in  sliaping  that  clause  which  guarantees  re- 
ligious liberty  in  j^orth  Carolina.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  Convention  of  1788  to  ratify  the  Constitution  of  the 
United  States, 

John  Burgess,  the  younger  son  of  William  Burgess,  Sr., 
next  became  pastor  at  Sliiloli.  Evan  Forbes  was  one  of  the 
early  pastors.  lie  was  a  man  strong  in  character  and  doc- 
trine, and  his  memory  is  still  cherished  at  Shiloh.  Henry 
Speight,  the  father  of  J.  A.  and  T.  T.  Speight,  was  also 
pastor  at  Shiloh  several  years.  He  was  a  very  active 
jnistor. 

A]jout  the  middle  of  the  nineteenth  century,  Shiloh  ex- 
l)ei'ieneod  one  of  the  greatest  revivals  ever  known  in  Xoi'th 
Carolina.  John  13.  Elwell  conducted  the  meeting.  The 
]jower  of  the  Spirit  was  in  the  church,  as  on  the  day  of 
Pentecost.  Elwell  A\'as  a  spiritual  power,  and  man}''  liv- 
ing at  Shiloh  to-day  can  tell  of  that  gi'cat  revival,  for  they 
felt  its  powei'  in  their  own  hearts  and  lives. 

In  later  years,  Dr.  II.  11.  Overlay  became  tlie  ]:)astor.' 
For  a  third  of  a  century,  this  revered  father  in  Isrtiel  haa 
been  the  spiritual  counsellor  at  Shiloh.  He  has  not  been 
])astor  all  these  years,  but  all  her  other  j)astors  during  this 
period  weroyoung  men  who  learned  their  theology  from  Dr. 
Overby,  and  Avho  looked  uyjon  him  as  their  spiritual  father. 
Among  these  we  mention  O,  C.  Ilorton,  a  genial  sj)irit, 
wlio  ])apti/.ed  the  author  of  these  chapters,  who  was  pastor 
about  ten  years;  I^.  S.  C.  lOavis,  a  man  of  earnest  devotion 
and  cliai'ining  manners,  wlio  was  ])astor  over  two  years, 
and  Dennis  .11  arris,  who  is  now  the  pastor. 

'I'lie  inthieuce  of  the    mother    church    lias    been    ffrcat. 


14  A  HISTORY  OF  TILE  UAPTISTS 

Through  the  ]al)ors  of  those  early  heroes,  Baptist  ehurclies 
wei'e  ])hiiireil  o\-er  all  the  lovely  Alhemarlo  section,  from 
the  Athmtie  to  the  lioanoke.  New  "arms"  were  estab- 
lished from  the  mother  church  at  Sawyer's  Creek,  Cam- 
den County;  at  Coinjock,  now  Shawboro,  Currituck  Coim- 
ty ;  at  Piuioo,  uow  Oalc  Grove,  Virginia,  which  has  given 
rise  to  IJlackwater  and  other  churches ;  at  Knobb's  Creek, 
now  the  prosperous  Elizabeth  City  Church ;  and  at  Ye- 
opim,  six  miles  from  Edenton,  where  the  Establishment 
was  almost  irresistible. 

Even  beyond  the  Chowan  rose  churches  which  date  their 
ancestry  back  to  Sliiloli.  In  17:iO,  Jose])h  and  William 
Pai'kei'  moved  from  Canulen  and  organized  a  church  at 
Aiehei-rin,  near  Murfreesboro,  Hertford  County.  From 
this  new  centre  the  Baptists  spread  to  the  south  and  to 
the  west. 

In,] 7-1-2,  William  Sojourner  brought  a  colony  of  Bap- 
tists from  Berkley,  Virginia,  and  settkil  at  Kehukec,  Hal- 
ifax Coiinly.  This  church  became  a  new  ccnli'e  of  In- 
juiencc,  and  joined  luiuds  with  Shiloh  and  Meherrin  in 
dotting  h^astern  (^iroliua  with  Baptist  churches.  Sandy 
Ivun,  Bertie  (formerly  csilled  the  Church  of  Bertie),  v/as 
organized  in  1750;  Fishing  Creek,  Halifax  County,  in 
1755;  Grassy  Creek,  Granville  County,  in  1755;  Falls  of 
Tar  Kiver,  Edgecombe,  in  1757;  lied  Banks,  Pitt  County, 
in  175S;  Lockwood's  Folly,  Brunswick  County,  in  1702; 
Bear  J\harsh,  IJuplin  County,  in  1703;  Bock  Spring, 
Chatham,  County,  in  J 704;  Coleraine,  Bertie  County,  in 
1781);  Sawyer's  (h-eek,  t^amden  County,  in  1700.  The 
work  was  starled  at  Shih)h,  was  carrieil  on  further  by 
l^Ieherrin,  and  still  furtlier  supplemented  by  the  colony  of 
William  Sojourner  at  Ivehukee, 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  I  5 

As  to  the  doctrine  and  discipline  of  the  mother  church, 
there  was  no  marked  diU'ercnce  from  the  polity  of  Baptist 
cluirches  of  to-day.  The  prototype  of  the  mother  chnrch 
was  the  General  Baptist  churches  of  Eng-land.  They  held 
a  moderate  Calvinism.  It  was  not  till  later  that  the  higher 
Calvinism  was  hrouglit  to  Carolina  from  Philadelphia. 

''The  Court  of  Union,"  as  it  Avas  called,  was  one  of  the 
peculiar  institutions  of  these  days.  It  was  for  several 
years  continued  at  Shiloh.  It  consisted  of  the  pastor  and 
six  members  of  the  church,  and  its  business  was  to  attend 
to  difficulties  arising  about  the  private  secular  affairs  of 
the  meml)ers  of  the  church.  In  a  few  years  this  bo'l}'  was 
discontinued  at  Shiloli. 

Sliiloh  gave  to  the  world  Col  Gideon  Laml),  of  Kevo- 
lutioiiary  fame.  lie  was  one  of  her  deacons  for  several 
years,  lie  was  nuich  honored  as  a  soldier,  and  was  with 
tlie  Continental  troops  at  the  battle  of  Gcrmantown.  Shi- 
](j1i  gave  to  the  ministiy  Evan  Forbes,  Abncr  Berry,  and 
riohn  L.  Priteliard.  Pritchard  was  one  of  the  first  stu- 
dents at  Wake  Forest  College,  and  nobly  gave  his  life  for 
his  |)eoi)lo  in  Wilmington  during  the  fever  of  180:2.  Shi- 
loh has  also  sent  out  into  the  ministr}'  A.  W.  Bnrfoot, 
Charles  S.  Burgess,  Gideon  N.  Bray,  and  Charles  B.  Wil- 
liams. 


l6  A  IIISTURV  OF  THK  liAPTlSTS 

OIIAPTErv  IV. 

BAJ'TISTS  ON  TILE  YAIIKIJST. 

Now  we  take  a  y,laiiee  at  the  first  Baptists  on  tlie  Yad- 
kin. 'i'liG  time  of  settlement  on  tlie  Yadkin  and  of  the 
organization  of  the  first  liaptist  ch\irch  in  that  lovely 
section  has  been  a  qnestion  of  dispute.  But  it  seems  more 
than  probable  that  Baptists  settled  on  tl|e  Yadkin  before 
tlie  Sandy  Creek  movement,  v  So  we  consider  the  Baptists 
on  the  Yadkin  lirst. 

The  attractions  of  this  region  are  many  and  great.  Law- 
son,  in  his  History  of  Xorth  Carolina,  describes  the  beatity 
of  that  region  as  follows:  "Coming  that  day  about  thirty 
miles,  we  reached  the  fertile  and  pleasant  banks  of  Sapona 
(Yadkin)  Biver,  whereon  stand  the  Indian  town  and  fort, 
nor  could  all  Euro])e  afford  a  pleasanter  stream.  One 
side  of  the  river  is  henuued  in  by  nuumtainy  ground,  the 
other  side  (Jersey  lands)  as  rich  a  soil,  to  the  eye  of  a 
kiidwiiig  person  witli  ns,  as  any  this  wi'stern  world  can  af- 
ford.'" Such  were  the  natural  attractions  of  the  Yadkin 
valley. 

The  exact  year  in  wliicli  the  rlersey  settlement  was  nuuie 
on  th(>  Yadkin  is  not  known.  It  is  probable  that  this  set- 
tlement left  .\ew  Jersey  and  arrived  on  the  Yadkin  be- 
tween 1747  and  1755.  Benjamin  jMiller  ])roachcd  thercs 
as  early  as  1755,  and  tlie  facts  indicate  that  there  were 
already  Ba])tists  on  the  Yadkin  when  Benjamin  Miller 
visited  tlic  settlement.  Tlie  B]iilad(^l])hia  Association  haa 
in  its  records  of  1755  the  following  refo'eiu'c;  '"Appointed, 
that  one  miTiister  from  the  Jerseys  and  one  from  Pcnu- 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  1/ 

sylvaiiia,  visit  iSlortli  Carolina."  Jiiit  JMiller  appears  to 
have  g'ono  to  rlio  Jersey  settleiuent  still  earliei"  ilian  1755. 
Foote,  in  his  Sketches  of  North  Carolina,  says:  "Hero 
there  appears  to  have  been  a  congregation  of  some  strength 
that  had  a  nieeting-liouse,  bnt  had  become  divided.  ALany 
adhered  to  tlie  Baptists,  that  before  '"  *  *  professed  them- 
selves to  be  Presbyterians;  so  that  very  few  at  ])resent 
join  heartily  with  onr  nunisters.  ■"■  *  "  One  canse  of  the 
divisions  in  this  congregation  arose  from  the  labors  of  a 
Baptist  minister  among  them  by  the  name  of  Miller." 
From  the  date  of  Foote's  reference  to  this  division  among 
the  Presbyterians  and  Baptists  on  the  Yadkin,  it  appears 
evident  that  ^liller  was  a  visitant  of  the  Jersey  settlement 
before  1755,  and  surely  there  were  Baptists  there  before 
tbis  date. 

Another  ])reacher  who  visited  the  "'Jersey  Settlement" 
was  John  Gano.  Pie  had  been  converted  just  before  this 
time  and  was  directed  by  Benjamin  Miller,  pastor  of 
Scoteli  I^lains  Churcli,  New  Jersey,  to  lake  tbe  Xcnv  '1\'S- 
(ameiit  as  liis  guide  on  bai)tisiii.  He  Iiccamc  a  bJaptist, 
and,  k'ai'ning  of  Cai'olina  from  ^Miller,  decided- to  visit  iho 
Jersey  Settk'iiienl  on  his  way  to  South  (^irolina.  'Tliis  be 
seems  to  have  done  in  175G,  During"  his  stay  at  the  set- 
tlement, he  tells  US  in.  his  autobiogi-aphy  tliat  "a  Ba])tist 
church  was  constituted  and  additions  made  to  it."  lie  left 
the  colony  early  in  ■!!('  yoiw  175!),  iind  so  the  eliureb  must 
have  been  (organized  between  175(5  and  1758.  \Ve  are 
not  sure  what  Jolin  Gano  meant  by  saying  that  a  church 
was  '^constituted"  while  he  was  tliere.  It  .seeius  evi(U'nt 
from  otlier  .sources  that  tbere  were  i>aptists  on  tlie  \'adkin 
before  this.  Tliey  may  have  been  unorganized  at  the  time 
2  ■ 


1 8  A  HISTORY  OF  TPIl];  BAPTISTS 

of  Aliller's  lirst  visit,  and  it  may  bo  that  Gano  organized  the 
churcli  on  his  arrival.  Ihit  it  is  far  inoro  probable  that 
they  were  organized  before  the  visit  of  Gano,  and  were 
better  organized  by  him  on  his  arival. 

Gano  left  the  colony  because  of  war  which  broke  out 
with  the  Cherokee  Indians.  We  have  no  record  of  any 
pastor  succei^diug  him  at  the  .Jersey  Settlement.  I'roba- 
bly  the  organization  lasted  only  a  few  years.  Morgan 
Edwards,  speaking  of  the  formation  of  Shallow  Eord 
Church,  in  177^-'7;3,  says:  '^'It  began  with  a  few  from 
Idttle  Tviver  and  the  remains  of  Jersey  Settlement  church." 
Twenty-live  3'ears  elapsed  after  John  Gano  left  them  be- 
fore the  constitution  of  the  present  church  in  1784,  styled 
"The  ("hurch  of  (Mirist  at  the  Jersey  Settlement  Meeting- 
house." Jt  had  a  membership  of  fourteen. 
i  '  The  first  ])a.st«)r  of  the  new  Jersey  Settlement  Baptist 
Church  was  Di-ury  Sims,  who  sei'ved  the  church  for  five 
years,  then  followed  Thomas  Durham  in  1793.  lie  con- 
tiniu>(l  till  KSli!,  then  followed  A'athan  Riley,  James  B. 
l^adget,  William  Dowd,  -Josiah  Wiscnum,  Baul  IMiifer, 
William  Tui-ner,  Amos  Weaver,  E.  Allison,  J.  B.  Rich- 
ardson, J.  B.  lioone,  J.  II.  Boothe,  S.  II.  Tliompson, 
Henry  Sheets  and  Thomas  Carriek. 

This  church  reached  out  to  form  "arms"  in  destitute  sec- 
tions;  one  at  Beed's  Cross-Roads,  as  early  as  1795;  an- 
other at  Ilolloway's  in  179(5,  and  another  at  Tom's  Greek 
in  1808. 

The  Jersey  Settlement  has  given  us  some  of  the  noted 
names  of  N(U'th  Carolina — the  Alelvoys,  the  Merrills,  the 
jMcCJnires,  ihe  Smillis,  the  Moores,  the  Ellises,  the  AVisc;- 
jnans,  the  ]\Iai'.shes,  and  others.  Our  late  Governor  Ellis 
traces  his  ancestry  to  the  Jersey  Settlement. 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  19 

*'  Also  Oil  the  IJppc]'  Yadkin  there  were  Baptists  at  an 
early  date,  jjerhaps,  as  carl}'  as  the  middle  of  tlie  eighteenth 
century.  They  came  from  Pennsylvania.  In  Caldwell 
settled  William  Gragg  and  Ileuben  Coffey.  Later  came 
Jesse  Moore,  the  ancestor  of  H.  C.  and  J.  D.  ]\Ioore.  In 
the  same  county  settled  John  Durham,  who  crossed  the 
Blue  Ridge  from  the  Shenandoah  valley,  bringing  his  old 
leather  trunk  lashed  to  the  pack-saddle  on  the  back  of  his 
horse.  In  Wilkes  settled  the  Martins,  the  Parkses,  the 
Cleavelands.  Also,  many  from  the  Jersey  Settlement 
found  a  home  in  this  section  of  the  Upper  Yadkin.  Among 
tliese  were  the  Clarks,  the  Boones,  and  the  Greens.  Set- 
tlers came  to  this  lovely  section  even  from  other  parts  of 
the  State.  Prominent  auiong  these  was  Elder  George 
McNeil.  On  coming  from  Scotland,  he  first  settled  in 
the  Cape  Fear  region,  but  afterward  made  his  home  at 
Lewis  Fork,  in  Wilkes  County,  near  the  site  of  J^Tew  Hope 
('liurch.  From  this  early  settler  has  descended  the  illus- 
trious McNeil  family  of  Wilkes,  of  whom  Elder  James 
McNeil  and  Elder  j\Liltou  AicNeil  are  worthy  of  honorable 
mention. 

The  oldest  church  on  the  Upper  Yadkin  is  the  Head  of 
the  Yadkin  Church,  often  known  as  the  Yadkin,  being  or- 
ganized in  17G0,  The  second  church  in  this  region  was 
that  at  Mulberry  Fields,  being  constituted  in  1777,  and 
stood  al)out  two  huudi'od  yards  from  the  site  of  the  prcs- 
out  jiajjtist  churcJi  of  Wilkesboro,  which  was  organized 
about  two  decades  ago.  Tji  1779,  Kings  Creek  Church, 
in  ( 'aldwell,  and  Beaver  Creek,  in  Wilkes,  were  organized. 
A  few  years  later  Bi-icsr  Creek,  in  Wilkes,  was  coustiLuled. 
It  had  many  ^'arms,"  and  from  it  grew  Lewis  Fork,  in 
Wilkes,  and  Old  Fields  Church,  in  Ashe  County. 


20  A  HISTORY  OF  THK  BAPTISTS 

111  I7i»0,  'i'lircc  I'\)rk.s  (Uiui'cli,  the  lirsl  in  \Vat;m<j,a, 
wa.s  const ituk'd.  Part  of  the  original  nionibers  of  this 
church  eaiiie  from  tlic  Jersey  Settlement  (Jlnireli.  Cove 
Creek  was  the  second  elmrch  in  Watanga,  being  org-anized 
ill  17!)!'. 

At  Hrst  these  churches  all  had  only  log  houses  in  which 
to  worship.  The  floors  were  I'uch',  and  large  cracks  ^vero 
•in  the  walls,  so  that  they  were  often  iincomfortiihle  in  win- 
ter. But  the  |)raises  of  God  rang  out  from  the  lips  and 
liearts  of  these  old  lja])tist  fathers. 

These  churches  lirst  joined  the  Strawl)erry  dissociation, 
in  Virginia,  hut  in  17!J0  withdrew  to  organize  the  Yadkin 
Association.  The  lirst  ministers  of  this  body  were  George 
j\reNeil,  John  Cleaveland,  William  Petty,  William  Ilam- 
moud,  Cleaveland  Colfey,  Andrew  Baker  and  -John  Stone. 
Thus  began  the  organization  of  the  sturdy  Baptists  on 
tlu;  Yadkiu.  Lat-er  on,  the  ^Mountain,  (/atawl)a  and  Brier 
(h'e(.'k  .\ss()ciatii)us  wci\)  foruied,  and  so  tlu;  Yadkiu  Baj)- 
tists  colli  iuued  steadily  to  ii,row. 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  21 

CHAPTER  V. 

EISE  AND  GROWTH  OF  THE  SANDY  CREEK  ASSOCIATION. 

\Vo  now  tiini  to  a  third  section  and  take  up  tlic  rise 
and  growth  of  Baptists  in  the  Sandy  Creek  section.  Shii- 
hae]  Stearns  led  the  iirst  Baptists-to  this  section,  organized 
the  Iirst  church,  and  under  him  rose  and  grow  the  Sandy 
Creek  Association. 

Shubael  Stearns  was  a  luitive  of  Boston,  Massachusetts, 
and  was  converted  (.hiring  the  great  revival  which  swept' 
over  New  England  under  ^Vhitefield.  He  at  once  became 
a  A^ew  Light  ])reac]ier.  lie  was  not  yet  a  Baptist,  hut  in 
1751  he  was  convinced  that  infant  bai)tisni  was  unscriptu- 
ral,  and  that  immersion  only  was  biblical  hai)tism.  So 
he  became  a  Jjaptist  and  was  hapti/ed  by  Elder  Wait 
Palmer.  Soon  aft^crward  ho  was  oi'dained  by  Palmer  and 
doshmi    Morse,   in  I'ollnnd,   (\)inie<'ticut. 

lie  was  soon  im])ressed  that  (lod  had  calh'd  bim  lo  a 
grcal  \vork  in  the  Soutli.  In  obedience  t(j  this  conviction, 
hv.  started  for  the  South,  stop])ing  at  Ojiecon,  \'irginia, 
where  he  found  a  Baptist  church  under  the  care  of  Elder 
Jolin  Garrtird.  Here  he  met  his  brother-in-law,  llev.  Dan- 
iel J\farshal,  who  afterward  hecanu;  a  Ba])tist.  He  settled 
lor  a  brief  ]K'r!od  on  Cacapon,  \'irginia.  While  here  he 
received  from  friends  in  >yorth  (\ir(diua  lettei's  desci'ibing 
the  great  destitution  of  ju'eaching  there.  iVt  once  Stearns 
(kciik^d  to  go  to  North  Carolina,  and  in  1755  he  sctiled  at 
Sandy  ("lr(>ek,  Guilford   (noAv  llandolph)   County. 

I'h'ght  f:imih"es  cauu^  with  Stearns,  among  whom  were 
sixteen  Ba])tisls,  nauu'ly:  Shubael  Stearns  and  wife,  Peler 


2  2  A  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

Stcanis  and  wife,  Sliubaol  Stoanis,  Jr.,  and  wife,  Daniel 
Mai'slial  and  wife,  Joseph  Breed  and  wife,  Enos  Stinson 
and  wife,  Jonathan  Polk  and  wife.  On  arriving  at  Sandy 
Creek,  these  sixteen  built  a  small  meeting-house  and  elected 
Shubael  Stearns  as  pastor,  aud  Daniel  Marshal  and  Joseph 
Breed,  lieonsed  preachers,  as  assistants. 

The  inhahitants  had  been  brought  up  under  the  inlln- 
enco  of  the  Established  Church,  but  knew  scarcely  any 
essential  principles  of  Christianity.  So  when  Shubael 
Stearns  began  to  shake  the  community  with  the  biblical 
doctrines  of  conviction,  conversion,  repentance  and  regen- 
eration, the  people  were  astounded  at  such  strange  doc- 
trines. The  nuinner,  also,  of  these  New  Light  preachers 
was  cpiite  as  novel  as  the  doctrines.  They  had  a  very  warm 
and  pathetic  address,'  accompanied  by  strong  gestures  and 
a  siugular  tone  of  voice.  Some  of  the  people  mocked,  but 
others  believed  and  ^vere  led  into  the  waters  of  baptism. 
A  powerful  revival  began,  and  soon  the  church  at  Sandy 
Creek  had  groNvn  from  "1(5  to  GOG  members."  Other 
preachers  were  ordained  and  carried  forward  the  work  of 
the  revival,  until,  in  less  than  three  years,  there  were  two 
"arms"  to  Sandy  Creek  Church  and  a  membership  of  900, 
So  mai'vellous  was  the  growth,  that  the  formation  of  an 
Association  was  the  next  step.  Elder  Shubael  Stearns  vis- 
ited all  the  churches  and  "arms,"  requesting  them  to  send 
delegates  to  form  an  Association.  This  they  did,  and  in 
January,  17.58,  at  Sandy  Creek,  was  organized  the' Sandy 
Creek  Association.  It  is  the  oldest  in  jSTorth  Carolina, 
^  and  the  third  oldest  among  the  Baptist  churches  of  the 
United  States.  The  churches  represented  in  this  organi- 
zation  wore   Sandy   Creek,   Shallow   Ford,   Little  l\iver, 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  2$ 

Slow  Ivivor,  New  liiver  (Ouslow  County),  Trent,  Jones 
County,  Lockwood's  Folly,  Briinswiclc  County.  Tliere 
were  at  that  time  only  seven  ordained  ministera,  but  thir- 
teen more  licentiates. 

This  old  motlier  Association  embraced  an  extensive  ter- 
ritory, its  churches  being  scattered  over  portions  of  Vir- 
ginia, JSTorth  and  South  Carolina.  Benedict,  in  his  His- 
tory of  tlie  Baptists,  says :  "For  twelve  years  all  the  sep- 
arate Baptists  in  Virginia,  ISTorth  and  South  Carolina 
continued  in  connection  with  tliis  Association.  Its  meet- 
ings were  generally  at  no  great  distance  from  the  place 
where  it  oigiiiated.  All  who  could,  traveled  from  its 
rensotest  extremities  to  attend  its  annual  sessions,  which 
were  conducted  with  great  harmony  and  afforded  suflicient 
edification  to  induce  them  to  undertake,  with  cheerful- 
ness, these  long  and  laborious  journey ings.  By  the  means 
of  these  meetings  the  gospel  was  carried  into  many  new 
places,  whore  tlie  fame  of  the  Baptists  liad  previously 
spread'.  As  great  crowds  attended  from  distant  parts, 
mostly  through  curiosity,  many  became  enamored  with 
tliese  extraordinary  people  and  petitioned  tlie  Association 
to  send  preachers  into  their  neighborhoods." 

Elder  James  Read,  a  member  of  this  body,  says:  "At 
our  tirst  Association  we  continued  together  three  or  four 
days,  and  great  cro\vds  of  people  attended.  *  *  *  The 
great  power  of  God  was  among  us ;  the  preaching  every 
day  seemed  to  be  attended  with  God's  blessing.  We  car- 
ried on  our  Association  with  sweet  decorum  and  fello^\'ship 
to  the  end.  Then  we  took  leave  of  one  another,  with  many 
solemn  cliarges  from  our  reverend  fatlier,  Shubael  Stearns, 
to  stand  fast  unto  the  end." 


24  ■  A  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

At  ilk'  .sL'Coiul  session  of  this  body,  Joliii  Gauo,  fi'Oiii  tlio 
Jersoy  ISettleiuciit,  wus  ])i'esent.  llo  was  reeoivcd  with 
great  att'cctioii  by  Ehlor  Stearns,  but  the  other  brethren 
were  a  iittk^  shy  of  Iiini.  Ke  M^as  invited  to  jn-eaeh,  and, 
tlioiii.':h  he  did  not  preaeh  with  "New  Light"  tones  and 
ji,estures,  lie  ])reaehed  "in  demonstration  of  the  Spirit 
and  of  power." 

in  early  .years,  tliis  Assoeiation  overrcaehed  its  ])OW'er 
and  tended  toward  a  eentralized  heirarcliy.  It  admitted 
tlnit  eom])lete  power  was  vested  in  eaeh  ehnreh,  but  held 
that  it  could  be  transferretl.  This  mistake  the  Sandy 
(.'reek  Assoeiation  soon  reetilied,  and  reeOi!,nizod  its  sphere 
to  be  that  of  association  and  consultation,  not  of  legisla- 
tion. This  Association  was  also  over  zealous  in  the  literal 
perfornnince  of  many  minor  suggestions  of  the  New  Tes- 
tament. Henetlict  says:  "In  their  huulable  zeal  to  carry 
out  to  the  letter  all  the  suggestions  of  the  Xew  Testament 
as  to  (Mu'i^tian  dniies,  ihey  discerned,  in  their  estinnition, 
the  following  nine  rites,  viz:  Haptism,  the  hcu'd's  Supper, 
love  feasts,  laying  on  of  hands  (after  baptism),  washing 
of  feet,  anointing  the  sick,  right  hand  of  fellowslii]),  kist- 
of  charity,  ^md  devoting  children.  They  also  retained  the 
oifice  of  ruling  elders,eldresses, deaconesses,  and  the  weekly 
communion."  Still,  there  was  the  sweetest  fellowship 
among  all  the  churches.  Thus,  as  ever,  the  independence 
of  Ija])tist  churc-hes  has  saved  tliem  from  heirarcliy  and 
dogmatism. 

Vi)V  se\'enteen  years  the  Association  ])rospered,  and, 
according  to  Morgan  hidwai'ds,  spi'cad  her  gloi-ious  work 
to  the  east  as  far  as  the  Atlantic  and  the  Chesajienke,  lo  the 
south  as  far  as  Cicoruia,  and  lo  the  north  as  far  as  the  To- 


IN   NORTH  CAROLINA.  25 

touiae.  Hut  ill  1772,  after  the  battle  of  Alamance,  in  wlilcli 
the  eolouists  liad  been  defeated  by  Governor  Tryon,  eiui- 
<2,ration  to  the  west  set  in,  and  soon  Sandy  Creek  Church, 
^vhich  had  increased,  to  60G  members,  liad  only  14.  Says 
]\loruan  Edwards:  "The  cause  of  this  dispersion  was  the 
;il)usi\'o  power  which  too  much  prevailed  in  the  province, 
and  caused  the  inhaljitants  at  last  to  rise  up  in  arms  and 
liiiht  for  their  privilei2;es ;  but,  beino'  routed  on  May  10, 
1771,  they  desj^aired  of  seeing  better  times,  and  therefore 
quitted  the  province.  It  is  said  that  1,500  families  de- 
])artod  aftei-  the  battle  of  Alamance." 

Piut  emigration  was  not  the  only  cause  of  declension  in 
Sandy  Creek  Church.  j\tany  of  its  members  had  been 
dismissed  to  organize  other  churches,  and  thus  its  many 
''arms"  had  grown  into  strong  churches.  The  smoke  and 
lire  of  Alamance  did  not  drive  all  the  heroes  of  the  Baptist 
faith  from  their  liomcs,  for  many  remained  at  their  ])ost 
of  duly,  and  on  moved  the  advancing  lines  of  Sandy  Creclc 
Association. 

In  ISOO,  another  great  revival  broke  out  and  swept  over 
the  colony,  not  only  among  the  Baptists,  but  also  among  the 
]\iet]iodists  and  Presbyterians.  In  this  revival,  Eldei- 
George  Pope,  at  Abbot's  Creek  Chnrcli,  baptized  500  per- 
sons. ITnndreds  of  others  nnder  the  influence  of  other 
ministers  were  bronght  to  Clirist  and  hel])ed  to  swell  tlio 
ranks  of  Baplist  churclies. 

Xo  records  of  tliis  association  have  licen  ])reserved  for 
the  years  between  175S  and  1S05.  During  this  period  it 
had  no  Moderatiu',  bul  ludd  informal  meelings  i'ov  consnl- 
tatii^n  and  (klibi'valion,  as  well  as  for  prayi'r,  singing  and 
preaching.      The  de\'Otional  (dement  preih)minate(|  in  lliese 


26  A  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

early  assoeiatioiuil  gat]iC'vi]i<2,'s.  lint  in  1805,  James  Eos- 
tick  was  appointed  tlie  rirsc  ]\Iodei'ator  of  the  Sandy  Creelc 
Association,  and  Bryant  Borongh  was  appointed  Clerk. 
Al  the  session  held  at  Chambers  Meeting-house,  1805,  it 
was  first  ''agreed  to  print  their  mirmtes." 

Elder  Shnbael  Stearns  was  the  hero  of  Sandy  Creek. 
He  was  pastor  here  as  long  as  he  lived,  lie  did  not  live 
to  see  the  great  revival  at  the  close  of  the  centurj',  A  few 
months  after  the  smoke  of  Alamance  had  died  away,  on 
iSTovcmber  24,  1771,  he  fell  asleep  in  Jesus  and  was  buried 
near  the  old  meeting-house  at  Sandy  Creek.  He  is  not 
dead,  but  still  lives  in  the  fruits  of  his  labors,  and  North 
Carolina  Baptists  in  this  region  are  reaping  the  golden 
harvest  froni  the  precious  seeds  of  service  scattered  by  the 
hands  of  Shnbael  Stearns. 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.        ^  27 

CHAPTER  VI. 

KTSE   AXD    GEOWTir    OF    THE    KEIIUKEE   ASSOCIATION, 

Back  to  the  Albemarle  we  turn  for  a  few  pages  to  seo 
the  Baptists  of  the  cast  wheeling  into  line  and  organizing 
into  an  Association.  The  Tvehnkee  Association  belonged 
to  Virginia  as  well  as  to  N^orth  Carolina,  bnt  was  organized 
on  iSTorth  Carolina  soil  in  17(i5.  It  was  the  fourth  in  the 
United  States,  and  the  second  in  ISTorth  Carolina.  It  was 
constituted  by  the  following  seven  churches:  Toisnot, 
Edgecombe  County;  Kehukee,  Halifax  County;  Falls  of 
Tar  Itivcr,  Edgecombe  County ;  Fishing  Creek,  Halifax 
County ;  Sandy  Creek,  Warren  County ;  Sandy  Run,  Ber- 
tie County;  the  Church  in  Camden  (now  Shiloh).  /  Thus, 
\^'ith  only  seven  churches,  began  that  body  of  early  Bap- 
tists, which  became  so  memorable  during  the  first  years 
of  l^orth  Carolina  Baptist  history.  This  Association  grew 
out  of  the  work  of  Paul  Palmer  and  the  colony  planted  in 
Halifax,  at  Kehidcee.  Palmer  organized  the  first  church 
and  put  the  work  in  motion,  while  Sojourner  established 
llie  second  colony  of  Baptists  wliich  supplemented  the  work 
of  the  mother  church. 

The  majority  of  these  churches  at  first  were  followers 
of  the  General  Baptists  of  England,  from  whom  they 
descended.  But  in  1755,  ten  years  prior  to  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  Kehukee  Association,  the  Philadelphia  Associa- 
tion sent  into  ISTorth  Carolina  Elders  Van  Horn  and  Mil- 
ler, who  brought  witli  them  a  stronger  Calvinism,  After  ■,  1 
this  the  most  of  tlic  churches  in  the  Albemarle  region  were  \, 
cstablislied  in  the  doctrines  of  the  Regular  Baptists,  and 
adopted  tlie  London  Articles  of  Eaith  of  1GS9, 


/ 


28  A  lIlSrORY  OF  Tllli  BAPTIS'l'S 

'  For  ti'U  vcnrs,  however,  tJiere  was  a  .sluii'p  coiilliet  be- 
tween llie  IJeiinilar.s  ami  the  Se])arates.  The  Separates 
lirst  arose  in  Xew  luiuhmd  and,  perhaps,  are  traceahle  to 
the  W'hiteliehl  I'evival  Shiibael  Stearns  bronght  to  the 
South  and  to  North  (J'arolina  the  striiiii'eut  views  (jf  the 
Separates.  "Die  evanij^elieal  doctrines  of  Shidiael  Stearns 
and  Daniel  Mai'shal  fonnd  their  way  into  the  AlbcMiiarlo 
section  and  most  of  the  chnrches  esponsed  the  views  of 
the  Separates.  I'ho  Separates  objected  to  the  Regulars 
for  these  reasons : 

1.  Because  they  did  not  strictly  require  an  experience 
ol  grace  from  those  who  a])i)lied  for  bajitism. 

2.  I3ecanse  they  held  nuMubers  in  their  eluirches  who 
ackno\vledged  that  they  were  baptized  before  they  were 
converted. 

'■].  Becanse  they  ''indulged  too  much  in  supjertluity  of 
a])])arel.''" 

'I'he  Separates,  of  course,  sought  a  reformation,  and 
preached  to  bi'ing  the  chiirclies  up  l(»  the  standard  held 
by  themseh'es.  'Idiis  gave  oit'ense  to  the  llegulars.  Con- 
sequently when  the  Association  met  at  Falls  of  Tar  lliver, 
October,  177;"),  there  was  di\'ision.  Part  of  the  tlelegates 
held  their  session  in  the  woods,  tlie  others  in  the  h.ouse, 
both  claiming  to  bo  the  Xehukee  Association. 

This  cou-test  was  waged  iintil  August,  1777,  when  in 
])eaee  the  churches  \yci-e  united  under  the  name  of  ''The 
United  Ihiptists."  At  this  time  they  adopted  seventeen 
Articles  of  Faith,  which  have  continued  to  be  held  by  the 
Kehukee  Association  down  to  tlie  present  time.  There 
were  ten  churches  in  the  Association  when  this  union  took 
]dace,  foul'  of  them  being  in  Vii-ginia  and  six  of  Ihem  in 


IN  NORTH  CAROIJNA.  29 

^Xui'lli  Carolina.  Six  of  the  ten  had  been  Keguhirs,  and 
foiii-  liiid  been  Separates.  The  new  name,  ''The  United 
liaptists,"  never  was  popnhir,  and  tlie  Association  never 
lust  its  old  name,  "Kchukee." 

At  ihe  session  of  1777  it  was  agreed  also  to  have  two  ses- 
sions each  year,  one  in  the  spring,  the  other  in  the  fall,  one 
hi  X'irii'inia,  the  other  in  North  Carolina.  Accordingly,  in 
?\lay,  177<S,  the  first  session  was  held  at  Elder  Bnrkitt's 
.Meetinu-honse,  on  Potecasi  Creek,  Xorrham])ton  Couiity, 
North  Carolina.  The  fall  session  was  held  in  Snssex 
County,  Virginia.  Of  both  sessions,  Elder  Meglamre  was 
chosen  JModerator,  and  Elder   Bnrkitt,  (Uerk. 

About  this  time  the  Jjritish  troops  were  invading  our 
State,  and  at  Guilford  Court-House,  at  Kings  ^Jountain, 
and  on  other  famous  battle-fields,  our  Baptist  fathers  were 
<1(  I'cuding  their  homes  and  delivering  their  land  from  f<n'- 
eign  supremacy.  So,  for  three  years  there  were  no  sessions 
of  I  he  Association  held,  fjut  in  six  months  after  ( 'ornwallis 
had  sui'i'cndcred  at  \'orktown,  and  the  hind  was  fi'cc  fi'om 
British  I'ule,  in  Alay,  17S2,  the  churches  com'cued  in  asso- 
ciatiomd  ca])acity  at  Arthur  C^otton's,  Hertford  County, 
A'orth  (Carolina.  At  this  session  Rules  of  Decorum  were 
adopted.  This  Association  never  overstepped  the  bounds 
of  its  power,  and  never  assumed  authority  over  individual 
cliiiivhes.  Idle  independence  of  the  churches  was  one  of 
its  most  cherished  doctrines.  Tt  always  regarded  its  func- 
tion to  be  that  of  an  "'advisory  counsel  only,"  and  not  a 
council  of  legislation  for  individual  churches. 
'•  In  17<S-1,  the  annual  session  was  held  at  Sandy  Run, 
■Jlertie  County,  ^"in  1785,  it  met  at  Shoulder's  Hill,  Nan- 
sciiiond  (^ouuty,  V^irginia.      Tfere  was  ]n"eseut  the  faiiuuis 


30  A  HISTORY  OF  THE  15APTISTS 

John  I, eland;,  and  measures  wore  taken  by  the  Assoeiation, 
at  his  siiii,-gestion,  to  "'enter  their  protest  against  tlie  cor- 
rupt alliance  of  Church  and  State."  Thus  our  fathers 
expressed  themselves  as  to  the  rehition  of  Church  and 
State.  This  session  also  appointed  a  "day  of  prayer  and 
fasting"  as  a  means  of  revival  from  lethargy  into  wliich 
many  of  the  churehes  were  sinking. 

This  session  also  expressed  itself  unfavorably  as  to  the 
education  of  ministers.  It  resolved:  "Education  is  not 
essential  to  the  ([ualifications  of  a  gospel  minister.  It 
is  a  good  thing  in  its  place,  and  forms  no  objection  to  the 
character  and  (jualitications  of  a  minister,  God  calls  a 
man  to  the  knowledge  of  Christ  in  the  pardon  of  sin,  with- 
out human  learning  or  ^vith  it,  as  seemeth  good  in  His 
sight,  and  in  like  manner  He  calls  a  Christian  to  the  gos- 
pel ministry.  God  is  not  dependent  on  human  education 
in  either  case.  If  he  has  use  for  a  learned  man.  He  calls 
liim.  He  never  calls  a  man  and  sends  him  to  men  to  be 
cpialified."  How  unfortunate  for  the  Baptist  cause  that 
sucJi  a  ])osition  Avas  taken  by  our  fathers  in  the  faith.  An 
uneducated  ministry  was  the  bar  to  the  progress  of  Baptist 
churches  in  the  early  jeara  of  the  nineteenth  century,  and 
led  the  Kehukee  Association  to  take  its  stand  against  Sun- 
day Schools  and  missionary  societies. 

In  17U0,  tlie  Kehukee  met  at  Davis'  Mccting-housc, 
Halifax  County.  Six  churches,  all  in  INTorth  Carolina, 
were  received  into  membership  at  this  session.  By  this 
increase,  the  number  of  churches  reached  61 — that  is, 
in  03  years  the  one  church  at  Shiloli,  with  seven  members, 
had  nniltiplied  into  GJ,  with  a  membership  of  5,017.  The 
boundaries  were  so    large    that    a    now    Association  was 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  3I 

funiu'd,  "The  Virginia  PortsiiioutJi  Association."  The 
new  body  was  composed  of  churches  in  Virginia,  leaving 
the  Ivelinkee  composed  exclusively  of  ]Slorth  Carolina 
(liiu'ches,  and  now  numbering  42. 

At  Hkewarkey,  Martin  County,  1793,  another  new  Asso- 
cialion  was  organized.  The  42  churches  had  grown  into 
I',),  with  a  meml)ershi})  of  8,440.  The  churclics  south  of 
ilic  Tar  River  withdrew  to  form  the  j^euso  Association,  the 
i-.ccond  daughter  of  the  Kehukee. 

At  the  session  of  1709,  a  feeling  of  deep  thanksgiving 
]jei'vaded  tlie  Association,  and  so  it  appointed  Thursday, 
Xovember  21,  as  a  day  of  ''General  Thanksgiving  to  xVl- 
niighly  God  throughout  the  churches." 

.Martin  Ivoss  preached  the  introductory  sermon  at  Great 
Swamp,  Pitt  County,  1801,  this  being  the  first  appearance 
of  that  early  hero  of  the  faith.  From  this  time  to  the 
close  of  his  life  he  led  in  the  movements  of  the  eastern 
Baptists. 

At  the  session  of  1802,  held  at  Elder  Henry's  Meeting- 
house, P>ertie  County,  was  reported  the  glorious  revival, 
begun  in  the  Sandy  Creek  country,  at  the  close  of  1800, 
which,  m  ISOl  and  1802,  rolled  its  waves  of  bliss  and 
blessing  upon  the  shores  of  the  Albemarle  section.  Fif- 
teen hundred  members  were  added  to  the  churches  in  these 
two  years. 

In  1803,  tlie  session  was  held  at  Conoho,  Martin  County, 
f;nd  Elder  Poindextor,  so  famous  as  a  preacher,  was  pres- 
ent and  preached  on  Sunday.  This  session,  however,  is 
specially  memorable  in  Baptist  history,  because  here,  for 
the  first  time  in  iS^orth  Carolina,  was  introduced  the  ques- 
tion of  foreign  missions.     Martin  Poss  presented  the  fol- 


32  A   HISrURV  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

lowiiiii'  ()iiLTy  for  (li.scus.sioij :  "is  not  the  Kclnikeo  Asso- 
(.'iiitioii,  Avitli  all  her  inimeroiis  and  respectable  friends, 
called  on  in  Providence,  in  some  way,  to  step  forward  in 
the  sujiport  of  that  missionai'j  spirit  which  the  ^Teat  God 
is  so  Wonderfully  reviN'in^ii,'  anion^ii,-st  the  diifei'ent  denomina- 
tions of  good  men  in  various  parts  of  tlie  world  V  This 
query  Avas  referred  lo  the  next  session,  which  met  at  Par- 
kei'\s  (Aieherrin),  JLertford  ("'ount3\  Here  it  was  again 
tak(m  up,  discussed,  and  then  referred  to  the  following 
connnittee:  J^emuel  Burkitt,  J\lartin  lioss,  Aaron  Spivey, 
Jesse  liead  and  John  Mc(^d)e.  This  committee  was  to 
meet  with  (h'legates  from  the  l^ortsmoutli  and  .Xeuse  As- 
sociations at  (.'ashie,  Eortie  County,  June,  1805.  At  this 
missionary  convention,  ]\[ariin  Ross  preached  the  introduc- 
lory  sermon.  Thus  arose  the  missionary  cpiestion  which 
])er])lexed  the  Kehukee  Association  till  1827,  when  a  di- 
vision was  finally  made  between  the  missionary  and  the 
anti-missionary  Ija])tisls.  To  Martin  Ross  is  due  the 
]iraise,  for  he  stii'red  u])  the  siagmint  pool  of  lethargy  and 
])ur  in  motion  the  ri])])ling  waves  of  missions  in  Xorth 
Carolina,  which  ha\'e  broken  for  decades  on  the  distant 
shores  of  shunbering  continent-s  and  sleeping  isles. 

The  following  year,  1S05,  there  being  3,579  members  in 
the  Association,  it  Avas  again  divided,  and  all  (ho  churches 
on  the  north  side  of  the  Roanoke  lliver  witlulrew  to  form. 
I  he  Chowan  Association.  This  body  was  missionary  from 
the  beginning,  and  helped  to  roll  on  the  tides  of  gospel 
peace  and  bliss. 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  33 

CHAPTER  VII. 

CONFLICT    WITH    THE    STATE    CHURCH. 

The  union  of  cluircli  and  state  has  ever  been  disas- 
trous, ]30lh  to  religious  and  political  interests.  Since 
Constnntine  first  made  Christianity  the  religion  of  the 
lioman  Empire,  many  States  have  fallen  victims  to  this 
fatal  union,  and  hundreds  of  churches  have  grown  corrupt, 
laying  aside  the  doctrines  of  regeneration,  converted  mem- 
bership and  holy  living. 

Tlie  barbarous  tribes  of  Goths,  Visigotlis  and  Vandals 
are  generally  charged  with  the  decline  and  fall  of 
mighty  Kome,  but  the  ecclesiastical  historian  sees  stronger 
reasons  for  decay  within  than  for  destruction  from  with- 
out the  Empire.  As  soon  as  churcli  and  state  were  wed- 
ded Christianity  began  to  wane,  morals  sank  to  lowest 
deptlis,  corruption  stalked  abroad  in  council  lialls,  and,  like 
a  venomous  se]'})ent,  cruslied  out  tho  life  of  tlie  glorious 
Empire.  Thus  moved  the  world  and  church  till  1517, 
when  Martin  Luther  nailed  his  ninety-five  tlieses  on  the 
clnirch  door  at  Wittenburg,  Germany,  and  called  from 
slumber  the  latent  forces  of  true  Christianity.  But  aft^r 
the  Keformation  was  effected,  even  Protestants  stoojiod  to 
wed  their  churches  to  states.  Thus  it  has  been  witli  the 
dominant  church  of  England  since  tho  days  of  Ilcnry 
VIII.  He  broke  the  chains  of  Roman  Catholicism,  but  at 
the  same  time  foisted  upon  England  an  liierarcliy  scarcely 
less  tolerable  and  tolerant  than  that  of  Rome.  Although 
many  of  the  settlers  in  America  were  refugees  from  the 
tyranny  of  a  State  church  in  England,  still  the  question 

3 


34  A  HISTORY  OK  THE  BAPTISTS 

of  eliiu'cli  and  state  was  a  probloiu  to  bo  solved  by  the 
early  inhabitants  of  this  conntry.  The  J^aptists  of  jSTorth 
Carolina  simply  followed  in  the  ways  of  the  English  and 
Dutch  Baptists,  from  whom  they  trace  their  lineal  descent. 
From  the  lirst,  J^aptists  have  opposed  the  union  of  church 
and  state.  They  always  replied  to  their  persecutors  in  the 
lanuuage  of  tlieir  Great  Teacher,  "Kender  unto  ("*:esar  the 
things  that  are  Ciesar's,  and  imto  God  the  things  that  are 
God's." 

Bnt  J^aptists  have  never  opposed  the  rights  of  the  State 
in  civil  matters.  They  have  never  been  anarchists.  On 
the  contrary,  they  have  advocated  obedience  to  the  State  in 
civil  matters,  but  disclaimed  the;  right  of  civil  magistrates 
to  interfere  in  relii:i(ms  atfairs,  or  to  com})el  conformity 
to  a  State  church.  From  the  Confession  of  1G44,  we 
quote  the  fellowing  Article  (-fS)  :  ''A  civil  magistracy  is 
an  ordinance  of  God,  set  u])  by  llini  for  the  pmiishment  of 
evil-tloers,  and  for  the  praise  of  them  that  do  well ;  and  that 
in  all  lawful  things  conunanded  l)y  them,  snl)jection  ought 
tc  be  given  ])y  us  in  the  Lorch  ••'  "''"  •'"  .Vnd  concerning  tlie 
worshi])  of  God,  there  is  but  one  Lawgiver,  which  is  Jesus 
Clirist.  So'  it  is  the  magistrate's  duty  to  tender  the  liberty 
of  men's  consciences."  In  this  article  wo  see  the  decided 
stand  of  English  Baptists  as  far  back  as  1G44.  They 
brought  this  same  gTand  principle  with  them  to  America, 
and  here  in  the  forests  of  the  ]S^ew  Work]  tliey  must  fight 
the  same  battles  of  church  and  state.  Fierce  and  deadly 
was  the  conflict  waged  in  the  !N^ow  England  colonics  and 
in  Virginia.  But  by  the  side  of  their  Northern  neighbors, 
Carolina's  Baptists  took  their  stand  against  the  Church 
established  by  tlic  State. 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  35 

Ijotli  tliG  patents  of  Charles  II,  granted  by  him  for  the 
scriiciiiont  of  iSToith  Carolina,  had  stipnlated  that  the 
Church  of  England  should  be  the  Established  Church, 
but  for  half  a  century  there  were  no  English  ministers  in 
till-'  colouY.  When  the  colony  had  grown  to  importance, 
the  English  Church  sent  over  ministers  to  tighten  on  her 
I  lie  reins  oi  the  Establishment. 

DAXIEL  liKETT. 

Daniel  Brett,  the  first  Episcopal  clergyman  of  Xorth 
Cni'olina,  came  over  in  1701,  or  1702.  He  brought  the 
Catechism  and  other  books,  which  he  nsed  to  cmmteract 
"the  pernicious  influence"  of  the  Quakers  and  other  dis- 
senters, lie  formed  a  conspiracy  with  Plenderson  Walker, 
the  Go\'eruor,  and  other  leaders  of  the  Church  party.  In 
tins  way  he  succeeded  in  having  a  law  passed  by  the  Assem.- 
bly,  in  1772,  for  building  a  church  and  establishing  the 
sahiry  of  an  Episcopal  minister  at  thirty  pounds  ])er  an- 
uum.  Of  course,  everybody  couhl  see  the  new  law  was 
])asscd  for  Ih-ctt's  benefit.  His  character  was  (jdious.  l']\'cii 
Henderson  Walker,  the  Governor,  and  Ci-ett's  accomplice 
in  ]:)olitical  trickery,  says  of  him:  '"'For  abont  half  a 
}ear  lie  behaved  himself  in  a  modest  manner,  Init  after 
that  in  a  most  horrid  manner — broke  out  in  such  an  extrav- 
agant course  that  I  am  ashamed  to  express  his  carriage." 
J)r.  Hawks,  the  Episcopal  historian,  writes :  "For 
about  six  months  after  his  arrival  he  behaved  with  pro- 
ju'iety,  and  then  broke  out  in  such  gross  wickedness  that 
sober-minded  men  Avho  respected  Christianity  and  vener- 
ated the  Church,  hung  their  heads  with  sorrow  and  were 
restrained  by  very  shauie  from  particularizing  his  cuor- 


36  A  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

luitic'S.  Tlivy  wltl-  not  tic  to  bo  named.''  The  people 
were  disgnstcd  with  snch  a  religious  leader.  Bnt  the 
(Jhtti'ch  party  was  ]iot  ehecked  in  its  zeal. 

]IEI.IG10X    ESTABLISHED    BY     LAW. 

In  1704  the  authorities  advaneed  a  stc}),  and  })as3ed 
an  aet  whieh  threw  the  eolony  into  confusion  and  started 
the  stream  of  suli'eriugs  that  lasted  until  the  Revolution 
wiped  them  out.  Governor  Daniel,  a  man  of  vieioits  char- 
acter,though  a  bigoted  Churchman,  through  intrigue,  had 
a  law  passed  by  "one  majority"  to  disfranchise  all  "dis- 
senters" from  every  office  of  trust,  honor  or  profit.  The 
severity  of  this  law  A\'as  aimed  at  the  Quakers,  who,  hav- 
ing risen  to  offices  of  trust  and  honor,  were  forbidden  to 
serve  on  juries,  or  give  evidence  in  criminal  courts.  But 
Baptists  who  dissented,  like  the  Quakers,  were  also  suf- 
ferers under  this  baneful  act. 

:\[i;.   ]iLAiR. 

The  next  preacher  sent  out  by  the  English  Chtirch  was 
a  Mr.  Blair,  who  tells  that  there  were  four  classes  of  peo- 
ple in  i^orth  Carolina  in  1704.  He  baptized  (or  christ- 
ened) about  one  hundred  children,  but  says  that  most  of 
the  parents  "would  not  condescend  to  have  their  children 
baptized  witli  godfathers  and  godmothers."  He  says  there 
were  three  churches  built  when  he  left  the  colony. 

After  Blair  came  Messrs.  Gordon  and  Adams,  \\\iq  wgi'G 
sent  out  as  missionaries  by  '^The  vSociety  for  the  Propa- 
gation of  tlie  Gospel  in  Foreign  Parts."  Gordon  sooi^ 
returned  to  England,  because  of  distur])aRces  growing  out 
of  Governor  BanieJ's  law  of  disfrancliiscmont.     Adams^^ 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  37 

likewise,  gave  up  the  work,  but  died  before  ho  sailed  for 
Euglaiid, 

REV.    JOJiX    URMSTOXE. 

Tu  1711,  this  Episcopal  divine  was  sent  over  to  convert 
the  ''heathen"  of  jSTorth  Carolina — that  is,  the  Quakers, 
the;  ijaptists,  and  the  Presbyterians.  lie  settled  in  Cho- 
wan. He  was  proud,  covetous,  untruthful,  profane  and  im- 
moral. Dr.  Hawks  says  of  him:  "We  are  constrained 
to  believe  that  he  had  taken  orders,  as  too  many  of  tho 
Cliurch  of  England  in  that  day  did,  rather  as  a  means  of 
su[)port  than  as  a  sense  of  duty  to  God.  Unamiablo  in 
disposition,  he  was  covetous  also.  *  *  *  The  coarseness  of 
his  language  harmonizes  with  the  malignity  of  his  temper, 
v.-  *  ■>:■  'j'}-^^|s  i]jQ  province  is  designated,  'A  hell  of  a  hole' ; 
and  he  declares  that  he  had  rather  be  the  'curate  of  Bear 
Garden  than  the  Bishop  of  Carolina.'  He  was  perpetu- 
ally quarreling  with  his  vestrymen,  and  always  without 
money.  Six  times  in  ten  years  he  wrote  home  to  England 
that  he  expected  himself  and  family  to  be  laid  in  tlie  tomb 
for  sheer  want  of  food.  *  '"''  "  And  yet  this  man,  eternally 
starving,  continued  to  buy  land,  negroes  and  stock,  to  hire 
white  servants,  to  procure  tools  and  agricultural  imple- 
jnents,  to  be  proprietor  of  horses  and  boats,  and,  in  short, 
appears  to  be  the  only  missionary  who  ever  acquired  any 
property  in  the  country."  sSuch  a  man,  for  10  years,  pre- 
sumed to  intrude  himself  and  his  doctrines  upon  the  lib- 
erty-loving people  of  iSTorth  Carolina,  But  in  1727,  the 
year  in  which  Paul  Palmer  founded  Shiloh  Church,  llrm- 
stojie  departed  for  England. 

He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  "Mr.  Blacknall,   who  came 


38  A  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

(A'l'i-  willi  Sir  Richard  Kvcrliard,  the  new  Governor.  In 
cliaraetcr  and  coiidnet,  Rlacknall  was  scarcely  any  better 
tlian  IJriastone.  Dnrini>,-  these  years,  the  Baptists,  along 
with  tlie  (^)\nd;ers,  according  to  Urnistone's  acconnt,  'Svere 
a  very  factions,  nmtinons  and  rebellions  people,  ■■'■  •'■  "'  ready 
to  op])ose  either  chnrcli  or  state." 

IJAI'TISTS    TAXt:0    TO    .SUPPOnT    TnE    STATE    CIIURCir, 

In  1741,  it  was  enacted  that  12  vestrymen  should  lay 
a  poll  tax,  not  exceeding  five  shillings  (abont  $1.25)  per 
poll  for  building  clmrches,  buying  glebes,  and  maintaining 
the  clergy.  The  salary  of  a  clergyman  was  not  to  be  less 
than  fifty  ])onnds  ])er  annum,  afterward  increased  by  law 
to  about  $t;00. 

Anotlier  law  \vas  ])assed  at  the  same  time  fixing  the  fee 
ol  a  clergyman  at  ten  shillings  for  performing  the  marriaga 
ceremony.  In  comnninities  where  the  Episcopalians  were 
few  and  dissenters  nniny,  snch  laws  were  considered  more 
crnel  than  the  rigid  laws  of  Lycnrgns  of  Greece.  It  was 
taxes  like  these  that  excited  the  resistance  vcliich.  termi- 
mited  in  the  Ixevolntion.  The  vestrymen,  being  of  the 
peo]:)le,  often  would  not  collect  tlie  taxes.  Says  William- 
son, the  historian,  ''When  it  was  found  that  tlie  majority 
were  not  disposed  to  tax  themselves  for  the  convenience 
of  other  peo])le,  a  law  was  devised  for  compelling  them, 
under  the  sanction  of  an  oath,  to  do  what  they  acconnted 
wrong."  E^^ery  vestrynum  Avas  compelled  not  to  '"'op- 
pose the  doctrine,  discipline  and  liturgy  of  the  Church  of 
Endand." 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  39 

T}1E    VE.STJtY    ACT    OF     17G4. 

Tlio  stniagle  gTcw  more  bitter  until  the  Vestry  Act  was 
passed  at  AVilmington,  Jnuuary,  17G4,  while  Arthur  Dohbs 
was  Governor.  This  law  required  every  freeliolder  of 
21  years  of  age  and  upward  \d  vote  for  12  vestrymen  in 
Ciieh  precinct,  and  if  any  freeholder  refused  to  do  so,  he 
was  lo  he  fined  twenty  shillings.  Each  vestryman  elected 
]iad  to  take  an  oath  from  the  Slieriff  for  the  faithful  per- 
formance of  his  duties.  If  the  Sheriff  refused  or  failed 
\o  summon  the  vestryman  and  administer  the  oath,  he  wai^ 
jo  l)c  fined  twenty  shillings  for  eacli  omission.  If  tJie  ves- 
tryman refused  to  qualify,  he  was  fined  ten  shillings,  and 
if  lie  refused  to  attend  tlio  meetings  of  the  vestry,  he  was 
{()  1)0  fined  ten  shillings  inore. 

Fhe  minister's  fee  for  performing  the  marriage  cere- 
mony was  increased  to  twenty  shillings,  and  for  a  funeral 
the  fee  was  fixed  at  forty  shillings,  about  $10.00.  If  min- 
isters of  other  churches  ])erformed  the  marriage  ceremony, 
or  ])reached  the  funeral,  the  Episcopal  ministei'  could  col- 
lect the  fee  by  law. 

Such  a  conflict  between  the  Establishment  and  the  dis- 
t(-nters  brought  its  blessings  to  the  Baptists.  They  were 
unconsciously  stimulated  to  read  and  investigate  for  them- 
selves. Edward  j\Ioscly  made  large  contributions  to  estab- 
lish a  library  for  the  people  of  Albemarle.  In  this  way  the 
]jeople  caught  the  spirit  of  liberty,  which  naturally  favored 
the  growth  of  Baptists  in  the  colony.  The  Establishment 
ta light  the  Baptists  also  to  build  houses  of  worship  and  sup- 
port their  pastors. 


40  A  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

(^IfAPTER  VIII. 
» 

BAi'TlSTS    I'ERSECl'TED, 

Persecution  is  the  iiaturul  cliiitl  of  a  State  cliureli. 
Wherever  a  State  church  exists  it  liohls  the  riuht  to  lix 
the  creed  of  the  i)eoph^,  and  to  tax  them  for  its  support. 
''Dissenters"  have  resisted  this  as  unjust,  sjrd  so  have  l)een 
the  ohjects  of  the  State's  shar])est  shafts  of  persecution. 
The  Ba])tists  have  avoII  illustrated  the  saying  of  Paul, 
''Yea,  and  all  that  will  live  godly  in  Christ  Jesus  shall 
suft'er  i)erseculion." 

koinik's   'jmi];kk   ckxtukies   of    pi^ksecutiox. 

The  church  as  a  whole  was  shamefully  persecuted  by  the 
Ronniu  .I^huperors  in  the  first  three  centuries  of  the  era. 
Ilow  heart-rending  are  tlie  sutrerings  inflicted  by  Xero 
in  the  tirst  century!  Tacitus,  the  Roman  historntn,  says: 
"The  victims  who  pvudshed  also  sutl'ered  insults,  for  some 
were  covered  with  the  skins  of  wild  beasts  and  torn  to 
piect^s  by  dogs,  wdiile  others  were  fixed  to  crosses  and 
burnt,  to  light  the  night  when  daylight  failed."  Clement 
of  Pome  also  writes :  ''Let  us  set  before  our  eyes  the  holy 
Ay^ostles.  Petei-,  by  unjust  en\-y,  not  one  or  two,  but 
nniny  sufi'erings  endured;  and  so  made  a  martyr,  lie  de- 
parted to  the  peace  of  glory  due  him.  ■•  ''"'  ''■  Paul  obtained 
the  reward  of  ])atience,  after  he  had  been  seven  times  in 
bonds,  "■  *  '■'''  and  had  Ijeon  wlii])}jed  and  stoned,  lie  taught 
the  whole  world  rigliteousuess,  and,  coming  to  the  extreme 
west,  he  sutTered  martyrdom.  '"  '^  '"  Unto  these  men  ol 
holy  lives  were  joined  a  vast  nniltitude  of  the  elect,  Avho, 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  4I 

^ufloriiig  iiiiich  disgrace  and  many  tornient.s,  "  ■"''  *  woi'C,'  a 
most  noble  example  for  ns ;  *  '^  *  women  were  tormented; 
iJanaides  and  Diree,  \\'l)en  tliey  suffered  severe  and  nnjnst 
punishment,  persevered  in  their  constant  faith,  and,  though 
weak  in  body,  received  a  glorious  reward." 

Sulpicius  Severus  writes  about  A'ero ;  ''Then  he  began 
to  rage  against  Cliristians,  ■"''■  ^''  "'  oven  made  laws  forl)id- 
ding  the  religion,  and  published  edicts  ordering  that 
Christianity  should  not  exist.  At  this  time  Paul  and 
Peter  were  condemned ;  one  of  them  was  beheaded.  Peter 
was  cruciiied."  At  the  close  of  the  first  century  the  per- 
secutions, begun  by  Xero,  were  continued  by  Emperor 
DomitiaiT.  Dio  (J'assius  writes:  ''In  the  same  year  (05) 
Domitian  ])ut  to  deatli,  besides  many  others,  his  cousin 
Flavins  Clemens,  who  was  then  Consul,  and  the  wife  of 
Flavins,  Fhtvia  Domitilla,  \^'ho  was  his  (the  Emperor's) 
own  rehitive.  'I'he  crime  charged  against  both  was  sac- 
1  liege. 

Fhen.  followed  the  cruel  persecutions  under  the  Em- 
peror Marcus  Aurelius.  Eusebius,  the  early  church  liis- 
torian,  gives  the  following  extracts  from  letters  of  eye- 
witnesses of  the  persecutions  at  Lyons,  Vienna,  and  other 
places :  "They  endured  nobly  the  sufferings  heaped  upon 
tbem  by.  tiie  general  populace- — clamors,  blows,  being 
dragged  along,  robberies,  stonings,  imprisonment,  and  all 
tluit  an  enraged  mol)  loves  to  inilict  on  opponents  and 
enemies.  *  *  *  Having  confessed,  they  were  imprisoned 
nntil  the  arrival  of  the  Governor.  But  the  whole  rage  of 
tjie  pe«])le,  Go\'ernor  and  soldiers  was  aroused  exceedingly 
against  Sanctus,  deacon  of  Vienna,  and  against  T^raturns, 
a  recent  convert,  but  noblo  condiatant,  and  against  Allalus, 


42  A  IlISTORV  OF  THE  J5APTISTS 

a  native  ol'  l\'ruauio>.,  who  liad  always  btjoii  a  pillar  and 
fonndatiou  in  that  place,  and  against  Blandina.  "'•'   ■'■   " 

"Sanctns,  nuirvellously  and  beyond  all  men,  endured 
all  liunian  outrages,  Avliile  the  wicked  hoj)ed,  by  the  dura- 
tion and  se\'erit"y  of  the  toi'tures,  to  wring  from  him  some- 
thing which  he  ought  not  to  utter.  "'•'  '''■  ■•'•  But  to  all  ques- 
tions he  replied  in  the  lionuui  tongue,  'I  am  a  Christian.' 
*  "-^  "'■■  He  remained  unsubdnerl  and  unshaken.  ^'  '"  '"  But  his 
body  was  witness  of  his  sutlerings,  all  one  wound  and  scar, 
shriveled  and  without  hunum  apjjearance." 

"The  Idessed  Pothinus,  who  had  been  entrusted  with  the 
oflice  of  B)isho])  in  Lyons,  \\'as  dragged  to  the  trilmnah 
lie  A\'as  over  ninety  years  of  ago  and  weak  in  body.  ■''•'  "■'■  ''' 
(Ju  being  asked  by  the  Governor  who  was  the  God  of  the 
Christians,  he  said,  'If  you  are  wortliy,  you  shall  know.' 
Then  he  was  dragged  off  harshly.  "^  '"^  *  Those  near  him 
struck  him  with  their  hands  and  feet  in  every  manner, 
legardless  of  his  age;  those'  at  a  distance  threw  at  him 
whatever  ihey  had  in  their  bauds.  ■■•  '■•■  ■■'"  And,  scai-cely 
briathiug,  be  was  ciisr  iiiio  ])rison  and  died  after  two 
days.  '''''' 

"]\[atnrus,  Sanctus,  Blandina,  and  Attains  were,  there- 
fore, led  to  the  wild  beasts  in  the  amphitheatre,  and  in  order 
to  gi^'e  to  the  heathen  a  public  spectacle  of  cruelty,  a  day 
was  especially  appointed  for  our  people  to  fight  witli  the 
wild  bcast.<5.  '^  '"  *  Then,  accordingly,  !Maturus  and  Sanc- 
tus, after  their  life  had  continued  a  very  long  time  through 
the  great  conflict,  died  at  last,  after  having  furnished  a 
spectacle  to  the  world,  "^  *  ■^  But  Blandina,  suspended  on 
a  stake,  was  exposed  as  food  to  the  wild  beasts.  *  *  ^ 

''But  wdien  Attains  himself  was  loudly  called  for  by  the 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  43 

rlii'oug'  (for  he  was  a  distinguished  man),  he  entered  as  a 
ready  contestant,  and  as  he  was  led  about  in  the  ring  in 
the  ampliitheatre,  a  tablet  was  borne  before  him  on  which 
was  written  in  lioman,  'This  is  Attains  the  Christian/ 
and  the  people  were  exceedingly  indignant  against  him. 
J^ut  wlien  tlie  Governor  learned  that  this  man  was  a  Tio- 
inan,  he  ordered  him  to  bo  led  away  to  prison  again,  and 
to  remain  with  others  who  were  there." 

Thus  continued  the  persecutions  against  the  Christians, 
with  brief  intervals  of  rest,  through  the  third  ccnturv  and 
a  few  years  into  the  fourth.  The  names  of  Paul  and  Pe- 
ter, Justin  and  Cyprian,  are  so  closely  allied  to  persecu- 
tion that  the  bare  mention  of  these  heroes  suggests  per- 
secution. 

CATHOLIC    PEKSECUTTOA^S. 

Then  when  the  Church  at  Pome  had  assumed  and  estab- 
lished her  authority  over  all  others,  the  blood  of  uuirtyrs 
again  began  to  iiow,  and  on  it  flowed  even  down  to  the 
death  of  Savonarola  of  Florence,  of  ,lo]iu  TTuss  of  Bohe- 
mia, of  struggling  iS^etheidanders  slain  by  the  fiendish 
Inquisition  under  Philip  II,  King  of  S]")ain,  of  the  thou- 
sands butchered  on  St.  Bartholomew's  Eve  to  slake  the  re- 
venge of  a  heartless  queen. 

PKOTESTA^N^T    PEKSECUTIOXS. 

Yea,  after  Alartin  Luther  had  sliakcn  the  Poman  Cath- 
olic world  and  broken  its  galling  chains  of  persecution, 
L-'rotestants  turned  the  sword  against  each  other.  The 
century  ]n'eceding  the  rise  and  struggles  of  Baptists  in 
Carolina  may  well  be  designated  the  age  of  modern  per- 


44  A  HISTORY  OF  THK  BAPTISTS 

SL'cutioius.  Ill  the  century  before  this,  the  sixteenth,  hiid 
arisen  the  Anabaptists  of  Switzerland  and  Germany,  niany 
of  M'lioni,  as  iiienian,  Grebel,  jManz,  Ilatzer,  Hubmaier, 
Dcnck,  suffered  either  imprisonment  or  death,  or  both,  in 
order  to  testify  to  the  truths  which  they  cherished. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  se^^enteenth  century  arose  the 
Dutch  and  English  Baptists,  who  endured  disfranchise- 
ment, imprisonment,  starvation  and  death  for  the  truth. 
Among  these  arc  best  known  John  Smyth  and  Thomas 
Helwysse,  who  established  at  xVmsterdam  the  first  Bap- 
tist cliurch  compcised  of  Englishmen.  They  had  been  per- 
secuted in  England,  and  went  to  Holland  to  enjoy  liberty. 
The  ])ersecutiou  in  iMigland  seems  to  have  become  milder 
in  IGIJ,  so  Helwysse  returned  and  established  in  London 
the  first  Baptist  church  un  English  soil.  The  Baptists 
grew,  and,  along  with  other  dissenters,  were  so  sharply 
persecttted  in  luigland  that  many  of  them  emigrated  to 
America,  "the  asylum  for  tlu'  opju'cssed."  In  _Xe\v  Eng- 
land some  of  them  settled,  l)ut  soon  the  old  i)ers(.'Cutions 
were  revived.  In  IGolJ,  Tvoger  Williams  was  chased  from 
Massachusetts  and  founded  Rhode  Island,  tlio  garden  in 
which  was  planted  the  religious  libert}'  of  America. 

As  time  went  on,  the  persecutions  continued  in  England 
under  Cromwell's  Protectorate,  and  within  six  months 
after  Charles  II  was  i-cstored,  in  IGGO,  John  Biinyan  was 
in  Ijcdford  jail,  and  \'avas(U'  Powell,  "'the  Apostle  of 
Wales/'  was  a  "prisoner  for  conscience  sake."  Many 
other  Ba])tists,  not  so  prominent,  -were  in  the  jails  of  Eng- 
land. One  of  ihe  most  touching  pieces  of  English  litera- 
ture is  a  letter  written  by  these  heroes  in  prison  to  their 
persecuted  brethren    in    .Inierica.     xVlong   with    ]5aptists. 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  45 

\\ivvv  wore  five  thousand  Quakers  in  jail  in  England.  In 
Xew  England,  tilings  were  little  better.  Baptists  were 
wliipped,  imprisoned,  had  holes  bored  through  their 
tungues  with  red-hot  irons,  and  were  otherwies  maltreated, 
tliuugh  none  were  put  to  death. 

In  Virginia  the  Church  of  England  was  lirmly  estab- 
lished as  the  State  Church,  and  granted  but  little  mercy 
to  dissenters.  A  Quaker  woman  was  publicly  whipped 
until  the  blood  ran  down  her  breast.  George  Durant  was 
banished  from  Virginia,  and  coming  to  Albemarle,  settled 
on  Du rant's  jSTeck.  He  was  imin'isoned  by  one  of  Caroli- 
jia's  Governors,  and  part  of  his  estate  was  confiscated.  But 
he  was  a  devout  man,  and  clung  to  liis  ]^>ible  (which  still 
(xists  as  a  curiosityj.  Tho  Baptists,  too,  suffered  witli 
the  (Quakers.  They  were  disfranchised,  taxed  to  sn])pr)rt 
(lie  ministers  of  the  Churcli  of  England,  in  addition  to 
having  to  ])ay  their  own  pastors  by  private  subscription. 
In  Chowan,  a  Baj)tist  j)rcaclier  was  foi-bidden  to  ])rcach. 
]u  Xew  Jjorii,  in  17-10,  Purefov  and  Slade  were  impris- 
(.ucd  for  having  presented  to  Court  a  petition  for  peruiis- 
sion  to  l)uil(l  a  l^aptist  house  of  worshij)  in  town.  John 
Tannery,  in  oifering  resistance  to  the  authorities,  was  shot 
on  the  banks  of  the  Roanoke,  in  1T77. 

Yet,  amid  all  these  })ersecutions,  on  moved  the  mighty 
.sii'eam  of  Baptist  infiuonce.  The  persecution  only  made 
them  greater  missionaries.  Paul,  whipped  and  stoned  by 
Jews,  first  turned  the  stream  of  salvation  txD  tho  nations. 
So,  in  North  Carolina,  Baptists  being  outlawed,  unjustly 
taxed,  im])risoned,  only  rose  with  more  glowing  zeal  to 
extend  the  tinith  as  they  lield  it.  J. ike  the  oak  whoso  I'oots 
ai'c  uuule  deeper  and   stroiiger  and   its  branches  broader 


46  A  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

iinJ  lovelier  l)y  the  winds  aiul  storms,  the  early  Bap- 
tists, shaken  Ly  the  Avimls  of  persecntion,  grew  in  numbers 
and  strength  and  reaehed  forth  their  branches  of  blessing 
fi-oni  sea  to  monntains,  and  even  to  Tennessee,  Tventncky, 
South  Carolina,  and  Gein'iiia. 


CIIAPTEK  IX. 

BAPTISTS    A^•U    LIBERTY. 

AVe  shall  not  discriminate  between  civil  and  religious 
liberty.  In  fact,  in  the  early  history  of  Xorth  Carolina 
the  t^vo  are  as  inseparable  as  the  Siamese  twins.  When 
the  State  exerts  its  authorit_y  over  civil  and  religious  mat- 
ters aldvc,  it  is  almost  impossible  to  make  a  sharp  distinc- 
tion between  liberty  of  State  and  liberty  of  conscience. 
When  our  fathers  struck  a  blow  at  the  encroaching  power 
oi  the  State,  they  were  at  the  same  moment  wielding  the 
sword  against  a  haughty  church  witli  its  cumbrous  system 
of  ecclesiasticism. 

'-  The  consensus  of  opinion  among  historians  is  that  the 
Ba})ti3ts  were  the  first  to  teach  the  world  religious  liberty. 
It  is  true  that  a  small  sect  in  the  fourth  century,  known 
as  the  Donutists,  advocated  religious  freedom,  and  took 
appeal  against  Constantiue  and  the  State  party.  But  we 
see  nothing  more  of  them  on  the  pages  of  history,  and  so 
we  regard  their  temporary  ap})eal  for  religious  liberty 
as  only  a  bubble  on  the  stream  of  history.  Then  to  the 
Baptists  we  look  for  tlie  first  advocates  of  complete  liberty 
of  conscience.  Says  Taylor,  in  liis  History  of  the  Eng- 
lish General  Baptists:   "Not  to  the  Cliurch  of  England, 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  47 

however,  not,  to  the  Scottish  Prcsbytei-iaiiisni,  not  to  Eng- 
lirili  Puritanism  at  Jarge,  does  the  honor  of  the  first  concep- 
tion of  the  fnll  principle  of  liberty  of  conscience,  and  its, 
iirst  assertion  in  English  speech,  belong.  That  honor  has 
to  be  assigned,  I  l^elieve,  to  the  Independents  generally 
and  to  the  Baptists  in  particular." 

In  the  iirst  Confession  of  Faith  })nt  forth  by  the  bap- 
tists of  England,  in  1011,  we  find  the  following  declaration 
for  liberty:  "The  magistrate  is  not  to  meddle  with  relig- 
ion or  matters  of  conscience,  not  compel  men  to  this  or 
that  form  of  religion,  becanse  Christ  is  the  King  and  LaAV-. 
giver  of  the  (Jlinrch  and  of  conscience."  Again,  from 
Taylor:  "JSJow  this  Ilelwysse  (Thomas),  returning  to  Eng- 
land shorlJj'  after  ItJll,  drew  around  him  the  first  congrcv 
gation  of  General  or  Arminian  BajDtists  in  London,  and. 
this  o])scure  Ihtptist  congregation  seems  to  have  become  the 
(h'pository  for  all  England  of  the  absolute  princi]de  of 
libi'rly  of  conscience,  ex]n*esse(l  in  the  Amsterdam  Confes- 
sion" ((]iiot('d  al)ove)  "as  distinct  from  the  more  srinted 
jjrinciple  advocatetl  by  the  general  body  of  Tnde])eiuUiits. 
Not  onl_y  did  Ilelwysse's  folk  difi'er  from  the  Inde])endents 
generally  on  the  subject  of  infant  baptism  and  di])ping ; 
they  differed  also  on  the  power  of  the  nmgistrate  in  mat- 
tei's  of  1)elief  and  conscience.  It  was,  in  sliort,  from  their 
little  diiigy  meeting-hovise,  somewhere  in  old  London,  that 
lliere  flashed  out,  first  in  England,  the  absolute  doctrine 
of  religious  liberty.'" 

It  is  only  natural  that  Baptists  shauld  be  the  beacons 
rlong  the  sliores  of  liistory  to  point  the  world  to  religious 
liberty,  Tlfv  have  sntTered  the  bittiTest  ])ei"seciitions 
IV)i-  their  views,  and  thus  they  have  been  led  to  advocate 
Ireedoni  of  conscience.      Says  an  English  historian:    "In 


4i>  A   HISTORY  OF  THK   BAPTISTS 

vvijvy  por?L'curcd  c;i\i.se,  there  was  a  tlii'oo  toward  the  Ijirtli 
of  tliis  great  prineiple.  Eveiy  persecuted  cause  claimed 
at  least  toleration  lor  itself  from  the  established  power; 
and  so,  by  a  kind  of  accumulation,  the  cause  that  had  been 
last  persecuted,  had  more  of  a  tendency  of  toleration  in  it, 
and  became  ])raetieally  more  tolerant  than  the  others." 
I'his  is  the  ])hil(_)S(jp]iy  of  religious  liberty.  The  perse- 
cuted have  the  consciousness  of  a  right  to  hold  certain  doc- 
trines, and  this  consciousness,  growing  into  conviction, 
asserts  itself  m  language  of  religious  liberty. 

^loreover,  it  is  worthy  of  note  that  Baptists  have  never 
persecuted  others.  This  is  tme  of  iSTorth  Carolina  Bap- 
tists as  well  as  of  the  Baptists  of  the  world.  The  early 
Christians  of  the  Ixojnan  Empire  were  cruelly  persecuted. 
But  as  soon  as  Constantine  had  made  Christianity  the 
State  religion,  then  Christians  turned  and  persecuted  their 
enemies.  When  Lutherans  threw  off  the  yoke  of  Catholi- 
cism in  (JJermany,  they  ])ursiied  to  the  death,  even  on  the 
Held  ol"  battle,  princes  and  peojdi^  who  dilTered  from  them. 
in  Swit/erland,  the  followers  of  Zwiiigli  and  Calvin  chafed 
beneath  tlie  iron  hand  of  Boman  pei'secution,  but  as  soon  as 
they  gained  their  su]n"en.iaey,  their  enemies  fell  victims  to 
tlieir  perseciuion.  Well  known  are  the  persecutions  of  the 
Anabaptists  at  Zurich,  at  which  Zwingli  connived,  and 
which  lie  never  sought  to  check,  though  it  was  in  his  power 
tc  do  so.  Better  known  for  cruelty  is  the  death  of  Ser- 
vetus  at  Geneva  by  the  hands  of  John  Calvin  and  his  fol- 
lowers. The  Church  of  England  struggled  hard  and  long 
to  throw  off  the  galling  yoke  of  Roinan  tyranny.  But 
M  hen  England  Avas  delivered  from  Bome  by  Ilenry  VIII, 
and  was  more  lirmly  established  under  Que(Mi  Elizabeth, 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  49 

ilicti  l)(.'i;aii  the  black  stream  of  persecution  issuing  from 
till.  Kstabiishcd  Cluirch  of  England,  which  stream  finally 
fuiuul  its  way  into  America  and  left  its  Laneful  sediments 
in  tlie  ilelds  of  North  Carolina. 

Tlie  Baptists  of  A^orth  Carolina  were  the  victims  of  the 
pci'sec'uling  shafts  hurled  by  the  Establishment  in  Eng- 
J.iiui.  But  there  is  no  record  that  our  Baptist  fathers 
turned  upon  their  persecutors  and  drove  back  the  same 
yhai'p  shafts  of  persecution.  Never  did  they,  in  after 
years,  when  they  had  grown  into  numerical  and  political 
iin])(»rtance,  advocate  the  extirpation  of  Episcopalianism 
fi'dui  the  State.  They  have  ever  wished  to  tolerate  and 
be  lolerated. 

In  fact,  it  was  religious  liberty  that  brought  most  of  our 
Baptist  fathers  to  iSTorth  Carolina.  They  were  persecuted  in 
Xew  hhigland,  in  Virginia  later  on,  and  fled  from  scenes  of 
wiie  to  hud  a  ])\iU'.e  of  refuge  where  they  miglit  worship 
(bid  without  molestation.  So  it  is  not  at  all  unuahiral  that 
ihi'V  should  lift  ou  high  tlie  torch-light  of  libci-ly,  and 
i)('ckon  t(;  their  wave-tossed  fellows,  in  New  iMiglaud  and 
beyond  the  waters,  to  hasten  to  North  Carolina  for  frec^- 
doHl. 

Tiie  Ba])tists  were  among  the  first  who  resisted  in  Caro- 
lina tlie  tyranny  of  tlie  governors  under  the  Lords  Pro- 
|)riet(u\s  and  the  Crown.  Six  of  the  Proprietary  govern- 
ors wei'o  turned  out  of  oihce  by  the  people  because  they 
doniiiioered  over  tliem.  AVhenever  the  governors  enacted 
unjust  measures  to  grind  the  faces  of  the  people,  the  Bap- 
tists wove  tlie  first  to  rise  and  stand  for  liberty.  The 
}'.a])tists  were  among  the  first  to  take  u])  the  cause  of  lib- 
erty against  the  ''mother  country."  Indeed,  according  to 
4 


50  A  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

some  historians,  isTortli  Carolina  was  the  centre  from,  wliich 
lloweJ  the  silver  stream  of  liberty  through  all  the  Southern 
States.  Says  liiley,  in  his  History  of  the  Southern  Bap- 
tists, "Under  tlie  leadership  of  Shnl)ael  Stearns  and  Dan- 
iel ^iarslial,  Xorth  (Carolina  hceame  the  centre  of  power 
and  iuthienee  of  the  u'reat  movement  for  liberty  on  the  part 
of  th(.'  Sonthei-ii  liai^tists.  This  spirit  of  freedom  which 
came  to  pervade  the  ranks  of  the  denomination  throughout 
Sourli  Carolimi,  Georgia,  Virginia,  Kentucky,  Tennessee, 
emanated  from  the  counties  of  Guilford,  Randol])h  and 
()ran^t',  in  Xortli  C^irolina,  where  lived  and  lal)Oi"ed  Daniel 
.Marsluil  antl  Shuliael  Stearns.''  This  is  quite  a  tribute 
]nud  by  a  Georgia  JJaptist  to  the  Baptists  of  North  Caro- 
lina. ]]ut  there  were  Innidreds  of  other  Baptist  preachers, 
from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Blue  Bidge,  who  stood  for  lil)crt,y 
and  ])reached  it  as  completely  as  did  Shubael  Stearns  and 
Daniel  J\Larshal. 

Tiien  let  us  not  forget  the  ether  Baptist  heroes  ^v]luse 
gi'aves  have  never  l)een  known,  whose  sUunhering  aslies 
are  marked  I33'  no  nuirble  shafts  of  lienor,  wdiose  names 
no  poet  has  sung.  Heroes,  heroes,  yes,  God's  heroes  tliey 
were,  because  they  breathed  the  breath  of  liberty,  fought, 
bled  and  died,  as  well  as  lived,  labored  and  preached,  to 
wra]i  the  '\\'orld  in  liberty's  light  and  soothe  the  persecuted 
with  soncs  of  freedom. 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  5 1 

CHAPTEK  X. 

BAPTISTS    AXD    TILE    DEVOLUTION. 

riic  storm  tliat  cnlminatcd  in  tlic  lievoludon  had  been 
uatheriiig'  about  one  hundred  years.  All  the  colonics  had 
felt,  almost  from  the  beginuing,  that  England  usurped  too 
iinich  authority  over  them. 

The  sending  over  of  the  Eundamental  Constitution  to 
become  the  law  of  Albemarle  incited  opposition  to  royal 
government.  The  people  resisted  when,  in  1701,  the  As- 
sembly, influenced  by  Daniel  Brett,  passed  a  law  to  make 
the  Church  of  England  tlie  Established  Church  of  the 
Colour.  Further  on,  dissenters  were  outlawed,  being  ex- 
cluded from  voting,  from  sitting  on  a  jury,  or  helping  to 
make  the  laws  of  the  State.  More  than  this,  in  17-11, 
acts  Avere  ]3assed  by  the  .Issembly  to  tax  the  people,  dissent- 
ers as  well  as  clnirchmcn,  for  the.  snp])nrt  of  the  State 
Chmch.  All  tliese  thiugs  and  the:  Vestry  Act  of  17(il' 
])roA'ok('d  .sturdy  ]'esistance. 

THE    STAiNri'    ACT. 

The  next  year  aft(u-  the  Vestry  Act,  1705,  came  news 
of  the  iHissage  of  the  odious  Stamp  Act  by  the  English  Par- 
liament. By  this  law  the  English  people  prepared  paper 
in  Enghmd  and  set  on  it  the  English  stamp,  or  seal,  and 
>-ciit  it  over  for  the  colonists  to  use  in  writing  their  deeds' 
and  other  legah  documents.  This,  too,  exasperated  our 
pco]de. 


52  A  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

GUVEUNOi;    TliVON. 

Ill  the  same  year  of  the  passage  of  the  Stamp  Act,  Wil- 
liam Tryoii  eame  to  Xorth  Carolina  in  the  capacity  of 
Governor.  He  Avas  a  man  of  hardly  preteii.sioii.s,  and  lived 
in  princely  style,  llis  wife  and  her  sister,  ^liss  Estlier 
Wake,  were;  im])ortaiit  figures  in  the  circles  of  fashionable 
society  in  tliose  (hiys.  Tryou,  in  order  to  support  this  mag-^ 
niricent  display,  sought  larger  j-eveiines  from  the  ])e(jpie. 
So  lie  instrnctcd  his  sheriii's,  especially  in  Orange,  Halifax, 
Granville  and  Anson  comities,  where  Baptists  were  the 
cliief  tax-paj'ers  to  extort  from  the  people  exorbitant  fees. 

Tino  iM-:(,iL'LAT()];s. 

A  band  of  men  callod  the  Kegiilators  was  formed  in  the 
c-ounties  where  the  op])ression  was  greatest.  Among  the 
Kegnhit(n's  were  nmnbered  many  of  the  best  and  most  in- 
fluential men  of  the  counties  above  mentioned.  These  iui>n 
felt  thai  they  could  not  snbndt  to  the  bi-ntalities  of  Kdward 
I'^mning  and  other  sherills,  the  tools  of  Tryou,  wdio  tried 
1o  wring  from  their  pockets  the  las!  dime  lo  support  dh'von 
and  his  family  in  their  pom])oiis  style  of  living.  They 
were  persuaded  that  Tryon  was  their  greatest  enemy. 

Hajitists  were  nnmerons  and  iniinential  in  the  counties, 
atl'ected  by  the  tyi-anny  of  Tryon.  He  said  the  'Tiegula- 
tors  are  a  hand  of  Quakers  and  Baptists  who  aimed  at 
the  overturning  of  the  Church  of  England,"  Pnrefoy,  in 
llis  IHstory  of  the  Sandy  Creek  Association,  denies  that. 
Bajitists  were  actually  nmnbered  in  the  ranks  of  the  lieg- 
ulators,  hnt  maintains  "that  the  ]3a])tist.s  were,  in  feeling, 
and  interest,  identified  with  the  Begtilators." 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  53 

r.ATTLE     OF    AI.AMAXC'K. 

The  foi'ogoiiig'  causes  were  rapidly  combining  to  pro- 
duce the  ontbnrst  of  the  storm — the  .Kevobition.  On  May 
IG,  1771,  the  Ilegulators  met  the  forces  of  Governor  Tryon 
in  the  Battle  of  Alamance.  The  Regulators'  anmnmition 
failed  and  Tryon  put  them  to  rout.  This  was  really  the 
hrst  battle  of  the  Revolution.  Froui  this  field  of  defeat 
fou tinned  the  struggle  through  the  battles  of  J\I(jore's  Creek 
Bridge,  Guilford  Court-house,  Kings  Mountain,  etc.  In 
all  these  battles  our  State  stood  bravely  for  freedom,  and 
amoug  the  heroes  of  our  State  there  are  none  that  stood 
higher  than  did  the  liberty-loving  Baptists. 

In  177()  there  wore  three  classes  of  ]X'0])le  in  Xorth 
Carolina  with  reference  to  independence  from  the  mother 
country.  A  large  number  said  the  ])eople  were  not  capa- 
Ido  of  governiug  themselves.  These  _  Rovalists  were  still 
loyal  to  the  l\ing  or'  JMiglaud,  thn.igli  •Iky.'  v.isln-d  t!ie 
gri(A'ances  of  the  ])eo]-)lo  I'edresscd.  A  sccoiul  class  was 
conservative,  nor  lia\'iug  full  cfuifideuct'  in  the  ])eople's 
ability  to  go^'^rJl'tllemsel\'es.  liichard  Caswell,  the  newly 
elected  Governor  under  the  Constitution  of  the  State,  be- 
longed to  this  class.  A  third  class  was  led  by  Willie  Jones, 
ol  Halifax,  who  believed  that  the  people  were,  and  of  right  ^ 
ought  to  be,  free  and  independent,  and  were  capable  of 
administering  their  own  government.  To  this  class,  by 
far  the  largest  of  the  three,  the  Baptists  of  the  State  be- 
longed. From  the  beginning,  Baptists  were  of  the  peo])lo 
and  for  the  people,  and  when  the  time  came  te  draw  party 
lines,  the  Baptists  showed  their  colors  and  followed  Willie 
Jones  in  standing  for  complete  independence.  In  the 
Halifax  Convention,  which  framed  the  Constitution  of  the 


54  A  HISTORY  OF  THIC  BAPTISTS 

/  State,  Elibhii  i^atlli',  AVilliaiii  Diirgess  and  Henry  Abbof, 
I  distinguished  Baptists,  \vere  delegates.  All  these  cast 
V    their  votes  for  the  new  government, 

AA'hen  liiehard  Caswell  was  elected  Governor  in  1770, 
he  asked  the  deacons  of  Sliiloh  (.'hurch  to  act  as  iiuigistrates 
and  conservators  of  the  peace,  until  the  machinery  of  the 
new  go\'erumcut  coulil  he  pnt  in  running  order.  This 
shows  how  high  was  the  position  held  by  the  Baptists  of 
177G. 

Then,  when  the  call  came  to  join  the  army  of  Wash- 
ington and  his  stdjordinates,  there  was  not  a  Baptist 
preacher  or  laynmn  that  ever  refnsed  to  go  to  the  front  for 
inde])endence.  d'he  old  .\nabaptists  of  Switzerland  and 
Gernuiny  did  not  belie\'e  in  tlie  "sword,"  nor  would  they 
take  u])  the  sword  for  any  canse.  A^ot  so  with  tlie  Baptists 
of  A'orth  (Carolina.  I'hey  were  like  the  old  English  Bap- 
tists in  tlic  days  of  Cromwell.  It  is  said  that  hundreds  of 
]3a])tlsts  in  JMigiand  took  arms  at  Cromwell's  call.  So, 
in  X(n-th  (''arolimi,  they  took  arms  and  fought  to  crush  tho 
encroaching  ])ower  of  (leorge  III. 

Colonel  Gi(k'on  Lamb  was  a  deacon  of  Shiloh  Baptist 
Clinrch,  and  has  a  brilliant  record.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  Halifax  Convention.  On  the  organization  of  the  i^ortli 
Carolina  line  in  1776,  he  was  made  Major  of  the  Sixth 
Kegimcnt,  Alexander  i^illington  being  Colonel.  The  lat- 
ter having  resigned,  ]\lajor  Lamb  was  promoted  and  be- 
came his  successor.  After  serving  with  distinction 
Ihronghont  the  northern  campaign.  Colonel  Lamb  was 
placed  by  Gen,  Jethro  Snmner  in  charge  of  tho  re/^rniting 
service  in  Norlli  Carolina.  Jle  was  a  man  not  only  of 
tho  loftiest  patriotism,  but  of  the  highest  intelligence  and 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  55 

exocutive  ability,  lie  died  in  the  sununer  of  17S1,  before 
Cornwallis  surrendered,  and  did  not  live  to  see  his  State 
and  country  free, 

Elisha  Battle,  William  Burgess,  Ilemy  Abbot  and  Lem- 
uel Burkitt  upheld  the  banner  of  liberty  during  the  ]^cvo- 
lution,  and  were  champions  of  a  free  and  independent  gov- 
ernment after  the  Revolution.  Others  were  probably  as 
active,  and  deserve  as  much  honor.  One  Baptist  minister 
was  shot  down  before  his  family  for  no  other  reason  than 
that  he  was  on  the  side  of  liberty. 

When  the  Convention  was  called  in  178S  to  ratify  the 
Federal  Constitution,  Abbot,  Battle,  Burgess  and  Burkitt, 
among  other  Baptists,  were  delegates.  Some,  like  Abbot, 
\uted  for  the  adoption  of  the  Constitution  without  any 
amendment.  Others,  like  Burkitt  and  Burgess,  voted 
against  ratification.  Though  the  Constitution  was  not 
rati  lied  at  first,  IS^orth  Carolina  hastened  to  call  her  peo>- 
])le  into  C(jn vent  ion  again  t*^  adojit  the  (Constitution  and 
take  her  stand  with  tlie  sister  States. 

/'Tlie  influence  of  the  Baptists  on  the  institutions  of  both 
'^State  and  jSl^ation  can  not  be  denied.  '  Baptists  have  sha]')ed 
llie  tlioughts  even  of  republican  government  in  the  jSTew 
World.  It  is  said  that  Thomas  Jefferson  got  his  ideas  of 
free  government,  Avhich  are  incorporated  in  the  Constitu- 
tion of  the  Ignited  States,  from  the  simple,  independent 
govei'nment  of  a  Baptist  church.  So  the  world  must  give 
pi-aise  to  the  Baptists  for  being  such  important  actors  in 
the  sti'uggles  and  the  aciiievemcnts  of  liberty. 


56  A   HISTORY  UF  THK  BAl'TISTS 

(MIAPTKR  XI. 

SO.M]';    I'RKACMI  KKS    OK    THE    Ol.l)    'i'VPE. 

Many  of  these,  like  J*aluuT,  vS()j()iini('r  and  Stearns,  have 
ah'eaJy  Ijeeu  uieJitioiied,  or  will  be  lui'ther  on.  iJut  we 
deem  some  of  these  old  herot's  Avorrhy  of  a  special  chapter. 
Idle  preachers  of  those  days  were  of  <>-reater  power  than 
we  can  iinai;ine  to-da}'.  ddiey  were  leaders  of  the 
people  iti  church,  in  State,  in  society  (to  a  large  extent). 

JOSEIMI    PAJtEKIJ. 

Joseph  J^arker  was  one  of  the  original  se\'en  niendjers 
of  kShiloh  in  Camden.  lie  remained  here  only  a  short  time. 
In  172:*  he  crossed  the  Chowan  and  organized  the  Me- 
lierrin  Church,  in  what  is  now  Hertford  County.  The 
]neetingdiouse,  -0  by  :^5  feet,  built  of  hewn  logs,  was  not 
erected  till  1735.  T'or  ovei*  forty  years  -Joseph  Parker 
preached  al  tiiis  the  second  Baptist  church  in  the  colony. 
The  church  iirew  rapidly,  and  froui  it  iiranched  many 
of  the  strongest  cliurches  iu  this  section  at  the  present  time. 

In  1773,  Parker  moved  "south  of  Tar  Iii^'er,''  and  con- 
tinued his  labors  in  Dobhs  County  (now  Wayne,  Lenoir 
and  Greene  cotuitie.s).  In  the  great  reformation  which 
took  ]")lace  among  the  Baptists,  Joseph  Parker  refused  to 
unite.  His  followers  were  known  as  Frccv\'ill  Baptists, 
of  w'lioni  there  are  over  three  thousand  in  Xorth  Carolina, 
probably  due  in  ])art  to  the  lalxn-s  of  Joseph  Parker,  Pie 
died  in  1791. 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  57 

LE:^[U£L    EURKITT. 

J.ouniel  Jjiirkitt  was  born  in  Chowan  County,  Febru- 
iivy,  1750;  was  baptized  in  Jnlj,  1771,  and  began  to 
preach  in  September.  At  first  he  simply  read  the  ser- 
mons of  Wliitetield  and  Williston,  but  afterward  wrote  his 
own  sermons,  sermons  of  power.  Aithongh  he  liad  a  very 
feeble  voice,  yet  there  were  few  men  that  preached  as  often 
a.-:  .Burkitt.  lie  was  a  High  Calvinist,  but  he  believed  in 
the  deeds  of  men  as  well  as  in  the  decrees  of  God.  For 
years  he  was  pastor  at  Sandy  Run,  then  called  the  Church 
of  Jjcrtio,  for  some  time  was  pastor  at  ^leherrin,  but  he 
preached  over  all  Eastern  Carolina. 

In  1788  he  was  elected  a  delegate  to  the  State  Conven- 
tion for  the  adoption  of  the  Federal  Constitution. 

In  171)i)  there  was  a  spiritual  famine  in  the  Chowan 
region  (there  being  only  72  baptisms  in  2d  cliurehes),  and 
so  Burkitt  made  a  tour  through  Tennessee  and  Kentucky. 
While  in  the  West,  lie  witnessed  a  great  revival  of  (5, 000 
converts  among  the  chui'ches  there.  Oii  his  return  home, 
his  church  was  called  together,  and  with  glowing  fervor 
he  related  the  happy  scenes  of  revival  in  the  West.  A 
day  of  ])rayer  and  fasting  was  at  once  appointed.  All 
the  people  turned  out  on  this  day,  which  began  that  mighty 
revival  tliat  spread  over  all  the  section.  It  continued 
three  or  four  years.  It  reached  jMeherrin  in  1802,  and 
1(50  were  added  to  tliis  fliurcli  by  ba])tism  in  less  than  two 
years.  Thus  Burkitt  was  God's  luunlde  instrument  to 
wake  up  the  sleeping  cliurclies  at  the  close  of  the  eigh- 
teen tli  century. 

In  1808,  he  ])reached  his  great  sermon  on  ''The  Increas- 
ing Tliver  of   Sah-ation"    (Fzek.   47:5)    to  4,000  ])eople 


iij'.ti.  ,  Jnc'C  ..Vlariiii  lio.^s,  of  "'\turtiu  Coi.iuiw  lie  \ 'as  In- 
tei:sc'ly  missi'^nnry  in  sjiirit,  and  in  inissi'jiis  fought  iiiaiiy 
battles  to  lift  to  the  bi'eezc  the  blood-stained  bumier  of 
tlifc  cross,  lie  liegan  missions  at  home,  for  the  records 
sliow  that  he  was  the  most  sncccssfnl  soul-winner  in  all 
tlie  Albeimirle  region,  and  l)a})t.ized  more  converts  than 
any  olher  iJaptist  minister  in  these  or  any  other  times. 

lie  was  an  orator  witli  a  ])eantiful  voice.  Tims  armed 
by  nature  as  well  as  by  grace,  he  swayed  \'ast  audiences 
of  those  ])]-imitive  peo]:)le. 

It  was  Martin  Koss  wlio  led  our  fathers  to  dream  of 
missions  Ix'vond  the  seas.  At  the  Ivehnhee  Association 
at  ('onoh(»,  Alarlin  Count}',  L^Oi],  .Mai'tin  lloss  intro- 
duced the  (luestion  of  missions.  Tlie  discussion  put  tlic 
brethren  to  fhi]d>;ing,  and  a  ]nissionary  convention  v/as 
called.  Ross  was  a])])ointed  on  a  committee  of  five  to 
ai'r-auge  for  this  couA'cntion.  He  jU'eached  tlie  introduc- 
tory sernio])  of  the  missionary  convention  at  Cashie,  Jnnc, 
1S05.  He  said,  "'Why  should  it  be  thought  incredible  that 
God  should  raise  u])  among  us  one  of  our  own  number,  a 
num  like  unto  ourselves,  to  carry  tlie  light  of  the  glorious 
gos])el  to  the  nations  tliat  now  sit  in  darkness  and  the 
shadow  of  death."  In  J^Tortli  Carolina  he  has  left  a  cher- 
islied  memory,  ami  a  sweet  infaiencc  on  the  Baptist  his- 
tory of  the  Slate. 


rral  ,A  in:   ,      ,^ , 

ihe  poor  of  his  counuuii  J.y. 

Elclcj'  Spivoy  was  a  line  conversarioraliot.  .Hu  \-. -i,i  ;■ 
popular  pastor  and  an  ideal  preaclicr  in  man}-  respects. 
In  tlie  homes  of  his  people  his  magnetism  and  spirituality 
elevated  them  to  higher  planes  of  living.  In  the 
pulpit,  liis  culture  attracted  the  j^oung  people,  and  die  old 
people  regai'Lled  him  as  the  worthy  successor  of  Lemuel 
Burkitt. 

For  years  he  was  Clerk  of  tlie  Association.  IIo 
was  one  of  the  committee  of  "live  to  arrange  for  tlie  mis- 
siouarv  con\'enrion  at  Cashie. 

'   DANIEI.    .\rAT?SIlAT,. 

He  Avas  horn  in  170G,  Windsor,  Connecticut,  was  con- 
verted at  20  years  of  age,  and  joined  the  Prcshyterian 
c]  lurch. 

He  was  for  eighteen  uionths  missionary  to  the  jMohawk 
Hidians,  but  then  uioved  to  Pennsylvania,  thence,  in  a 
short  time,  to  Virginia.  Hero  he  became  a  Baptist,  and, 
with  Shiibael  Stearns,  came  to  jSTorth  Carolina.  He  and 
his  Avife  were  among  the  IG  members  who  organized 
Sandy  Creek  Church. 

He  was  a  great  missionary.  Ho  located  at  Abbot's 
Creek,  where  he  planted  a  Baptist  church  and  was  ordained 
by  Henry  Ledbetter  and  Shubaol  Stearns,  in  175S.     From 


60  A   HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

this  jioint  as  iR'aLlqiiarters  he  traveled  e.\teiisi\'oly  in  all 
chat  section  of  Xortli  Carolina  and  iis  far  north  as  \''ir- 
ginia,  where  he  Iniptized  C^ol.  Samuel  Harris,  who  after- 
ward heeame  an  eminent  minister  in  that  State.  In  later 
life  he  did  missionary  work  in  South  (_^arolina  and  Geor- 
gia. In  the  former  he  estahlished  Beaver  (.'reek  Church, 
in  the  latter  Kioke  Church,  in  1771.  While  preaching  at 
Horse  Creek,  in  the  Parish  of  St.  Paul,  he  was  arrested 
and  forcetl  to  give  hail  for  appearance  at  Court  in  Au- 
gusta, (leorgia,  where  his  trial  was  a  complete  victory 
over  his  enemies.  lie  was  also  a  strong  friend  of  the 
American  cause  in  the  R(n'(dntion,  and  was  once  cast  into 
])rison,  hut  raised  such  a  siege  of  prayer  that  the  aurhori- 
tics  had  to  release  him. 

In  1784,  at  the  good  old  age  of  78,  the  hero  of  Ahhot's 
Creek  passed  away.  His  last  words  were  to  his  son,  ''My 
breath  is  almost  gone.  T  have  Ix^en  i)raying  that  I  ma} 
go  home  to-night.  I  had  great  ha])])iness  in  our  worsliiji 
this  moi'ning,  jiarticnlarh'  in  singing,  which  will  make  a 
part  of  my  blessed  exercises  in  eternity." 

Gt-:oi;cn-:  popk. 

For  a  number  of  years  George  Pope  was  pastor  of  Ab- 
bot's Creek  Church.  Xoted  for  his  good  judgment,  lie  was 
often  sought  for  counsel  in  matters  of  weighty  importance. 
He  was  ^loderator  of  the  S;mdy  Creek  Association  for 
several  years. 

He  was  also  an  important  figirre  in  the  great  revival 
of  1800.  He  was  then  pastor  of  Abl)ot's  Creek  Church, 
and  is  said  to  have  ba]^tized  ."iOO  persons  into  tlie  fellowship 
of  this  church  dni'inG;  this  revival.      ]\[anv  of  these  con- 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  6 1 

vL-i'ts  became  ministers  of  the  gospel,  and  so  when  George 
Pope  had  hiid  aside  the  gospel  sickle,  liis  work  still  fol- 
lowed Iiim.  .llis  memory  has  ever  been  cherished  at  Ab- 
bot's (h-eek  and  throughout  the  Sandy  Creek  section. 

ROliElVr   THOMAS    UAXIEL. 

Robert  Thomas  Daniel  was  born  June  iO,  1773,  Alid- 
die.sex  ( 'ounty,  \'irginia.  i3ut  soon  after  the  Revolution 
his  fatlier  emigrated  to  _Xorth  Carolina  and  settled  in 
('hatham  County.  He  was  married  March,  1,  17UG,  to 
Miss  Penelope  Cain  Flowers,  Chatluim  County ;  was  con- 
vii'ted  in  <lnly,  1802,  was  baptized  by  Elder  Isaac  Hicks, 
Holly  Sjjrings,  Wake  County;  was  licensed  to  preach  in 
April,  1803,  and  was  ordained  in  July  of  the  same  year. 

His  education  was  limited,  but  nature  had  done  more 
for  liim  than  for  most  men.  Tliough  not  schoohnl  in 
books,  he  was  proficient  in  the  knowledge  of  human  na- 
ture. His  ]:)ersou  was  conmianding,  he  had  a  counten- 
iiucc  mild,  iutelh'ctual,  benevolent,  with  a  ^'()ice  aflV'ction- 
air  aud  unisical. 

He  v/as  ]Kistor  of  ]\[t.  Pisgah,  ]\ray's  Chapel,  Greenville 
and  Raleigh.  He  was  not  so  much  of  a  pastor  as  he  was 
11)1  evangelist,  tliough  all  his  churches  ])rospered  under 
111.-'  n)inistrations.  He  held  ])astorates  in  South  Carolina, 
^'irginia,  Tennessee  and  ^Mississippi.  In  30  years  he 
traveled  (»0,000  miles,  preaclied  over  3,000  sermons,  and 
baptized  more  than  1,500  people.  Of  this  last  number, 
uuiny  became  ministers,  12  heing  disting^nshed  for  their 
talents  and  usefulness.  He  was  pre-eminently  the  friend 
of  young  preachers. 

His  last  .sermon  was  from  the  text,  2  Cor.  13:2,  "Fi- 


62  A  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

iiully,  bretliren,  favewell,"  etc.  He  died  September  1-i, 
1S40,  at  Paris,  Tennessee.  His  last  words  were,  ''Lord 
Jesus,  receive  my  spirit." 

QUiNTOx   11.    teotm:an, 

Trotman  was  born  in  Gates  ('onniy,  January  21,  1S05  ; 
was  baptized  by  Robert  Thomas  JJaniel,  1S2S,  and  or- 
dained in  ISoO.  He  spent  most  of  his  life  in  his  native 
county,  though  doing  mucli  work  in  adjoining  counties. 
He  was  once  pastor  in  Ealeigii,  but  soon  returned  to  Gates 
to  ]n*oseeuie  his  arduous  labors  till  tlie  close  of  his  life. 

lie  w[is  a  man  of  great  strength,  physical,  intellectual 
and  morah  All  recogiiized  him  as  a  consecrated  Chris- 
tian, but  also  knew  that  he  would  fight  if  sufficiently  pro- 
voked. A  young  man  took  olfense  at  one  of  his  sharp  de- 
nunciations in  rhe  ])ul]Ut,  and  the  next  time  he  met 
Trutuian  he  said  to  him,  "'JMr.  Trotman,  you  insulted  me 
Irom  the  pulpit  last  Sunday,  and  I  haN'c  slopped  to  settle 
i(  wilh  you.''  At  these  words  Trotman  began  lo  unbutton 
his  coat  and,  jumping  from  his  gig,  said,  "AW'H,  sir,  do 
you  uiean  that  you  want  to  fight?  If  so,  come  and  meet 
me  over  the  waj'."  The  young  man  drove  on,  for  he 
knew  Trotman's  reputation  for  manhood  and  dared  not 
touch  the  clerical  giant. 

Trotman  was  a  Low  Calvinist.  In  fact,  he  was  often 
charged  with  Arminianism.  He  preached  the  doctrine  of 
obedience  to  the  Word  so  emphatically  that  lie  was  accused 
of  preaching  salvation  by  baptism,  and  was  espcciall}'  cen- 
sured by  all  the  Pedobaptists. 

He  was  one  of  the  most  powerful  preachers  of  the 
Chowan  section  al)Out  the  middle  of  the  nineteenlh  ecu- 


;  IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  63 

tui'}'.  lie  described  sin  in  sueb  vivid  pieluros  that  men 
f  jit,  ''I  am  the  man."  Judge  Albertson,  Elizabeth  City, 
once  said,  "When  listening  to  Trotman  as  lie  warjiis  to 
his  subject,  I  feel  that  some  one  is  throwing  stones  at  me." 
He  was  a  natural  orator,  and  was  a  sort  of  ministerial 
king  in  the  Chowan  section.  All  Baptists  recognized  liim 
jts  such,  for  he  was  loved  far  more  than  he  was  feared. 
Only  tine  nnin,  Alartin  Ross,  baptized  more  converts  in 
this  section  than  Quinton  Trotman.  Having  been  l)]ind 
tliree  years,  he  passed  from  tlie  toils  of  earth  jMay  9,  18()2. 

WILLIAM  .11.   ,MT:]!RITT. 

J^ldcr  jMerritt  was  born  February  I'J,  177'J,  Chatham 
Coimty ;  he  professed  faitli  in  1801,  under  the  ministry  of 
Ci(,'orge  Pope. 

lie  was  licensed  to  preach  in  1824:,  and  his  first  sermon 
was  from  Ps.  110:103.  He  made  himself  a  close  stu- 
(h'lit  of  ihe  Pible,  ami  knew  much  of  it  by  lieart.  M\'en 
hc'i'Drc,  jis  weJl  as  after  he  entered  tlie  ministry,  hi'  was 
.-(.!(l(jni  without  the  _New  Testament  on  liis  person,  llt^ 
often  slept  with  it  in  his  bosom  at  night.  Pew  men  have 
c-vor  loved  the  Bible  better,  or  studied  it  more,  tlian  did 
William  11.  Merritt.      He  was  ordained  May  12,  1827. 

Having  been  raised  hj  Pedobaptist  parents,  and  being 
im})ressed  Avlien  a  boy  that  infant  baptism  was  not  taught 
in  tlio  iSTew  Testament,  he  became  one  of  the  staunchest 
Baptists  when  he  did  cast  his  lot  with  them. 

His  liberal  benefactions  were  a  blessing  to  the  denom- 
ination. At  Antioch,  Pock  Spring,  Emmaus,  Bear  Creek, 
Afineral  S]u-ing  and  'i\rcCloud's  his  liberality  was  well 
known.     He  gave  $1,000  to  build  a  Baptist  house  of  wor- 


64  A  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

ship  at  (.,Muii)el  Hill,  wlioro  the  State  Uiiiversitj  is  located, 
and  gave;  $i*,000  to  Wake  Forest  College  to  be  used  in 
the  education  of  young  ministers. 

I^lder  ]\Lcrritt  was  a  suiferer  in  his  last  years,  but  still 
preached,  sitting  on  a  high  chair  in  the  p\d[)it,  the  old 
stoi'v  of  the  cross  with  tenderness  and  power.  On  July 
3,  liS50,  he  breathed  his  last.  Among  his  last  words  were, 
''T  am  Avilling  to  die,  when,  where  and  how  the  Lord 
pleases." 

HEZEKIAIT  HARMON. 

Jlezekiah  Harmon  was  born  June  IG,  1YG3,  and  was  a 
soldier  in  the  Uevolution  before  he  was  of  age.  He 
f(.)ught  in  the  battle  of  Cane  ('reek,  and  did  valiant  ser- 
vice elsewhere. 

lie  professed  faith  in  Christ  in  170S,  but  was  not  bap- 
tized till  1802,  in  tlie  great  revival.  He  was  ordained  in 
1800. 

■  Elder  Harmon  had  little  education,  but  was  a  man  of 
sti'ong  intellect.  He  was  learned  in  the  Scri])ture,  and 
his  preaching  was  of  the  old-fashioned  tyj)e.  He  was 
expert  in  spiritualizing  texts.  He  was  a  nnin  of  deep 
piety,  and  so  preached  a  great  deal  fi'om  experience.  His 
influence  extended  far  and  wide.  He  was  a  little  eccen- 
tric, and  would  often  say  to  the  young  ])eople  who  would 
ride  by  him  on  the  way  to  church,  "You  need  not  drive  so 
fast ;  there  will  be  no  preaching  till  the  fiddler  arrives." 

He  did  much  for  the  cause  of  missions  in  the  days  be- 
fore the  Convention  was  formed.  Ho  was  in  sympathy 
with  the  ISTorth  Carolina  Mission  Society,  and  was  often 
present  as  a  delegate.  While  away  from  home,  he  was 
taken  sick  and  died  March  2i>,  1832,  being  GO  years  of 
aii'e. 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  65 

JOI£N    CULPEPER. 

He  was  born  in  Auson  County  in  1764.  His  fatlier 
being  poor,  his  son  John  was  in  school  only  tliree  months. 
After  his  marriage,  and  after  the  birtli  of  his  three  chil- 
dren, he  studied  Latin  three  months,  which  was  the  only 
schooling  he  received. 

He  was  converted  in  Georgia  at  20  years  of  age.  He 
embraced  religion  under  the  ministry  of  Elder  Silas  Mer- 
cer, and  by  him  was  baptized.  After  he  was  ordained, 
he  returned  to  jSTorth  Carolina  and  preached  in  Sandy 
Creek  Association.  He  was  a  great  revivalist.  He  con- 
tinued holding  revivals  for  years,  and  became  one  of  the 
most  popular  men  of  the  State.  His  popularity  was  so 
great  that  the  people  laid  hands  on  him  to  represent  them 
in  tlie  Congress  of  the  United  States.  In  Congress  he  dis- 
tinguislied  liimself  for  consistency  and  finnness  of  charac- 
ter and  for  devotion  to  the  interests  of  liis  people. 

lie  was  Agent  for  the  Baptist  State  Convention  some- 
time. His  toils  were  incessant  and  were  crowned  with 
abundant  success.  The  last  ten  years  of  his  life  were  spent 
wholly  for  the  church cs  and  the  Master.  After  the  di- 
vision of  Sandy  Creek  he  was  regarded  as  the  leader  of 
the  Pee  Dee  Association. 

Tn  the  70th  year  of  his  age,  with  unwavering  faith  and 
cheering  hope,  he  died  in  South  Carolina  at  the  home  of 
his  son. 

s:\riTii  .FERGUSoisr. 

There  were  many  eminent  preachers  on  the  Upper  Yad- 
kin in  the  early  years  of  the  nineteenth  century.  But  one, 


66  A  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

Smith  I'V'i'guson,  is  pre-eiiiiiieiitly  wurtliy  of  separate  mcii' 
tiou. 

He  was  born  just  as  the  18th  century  was  closing  its 
famous  records.  Thougli  but  a  youth  he  was  a  soldier  in 
the  war  of  1812. 

Soon  after  the  victory  of  ''Old  Hickory"  at  Is'ew  Or- 
leans, 1815,  Smith  Ferguson  having  returned  home  from 
war,  decided  to  preach.  Ho  continued  in  the  ministry 
for  more  than  half  a  century,  and  but  few  were  more  ac- 
tive than  lie.  He  was  a  po[)ular  ]n-encher,  for  his  war  rec- 
ord had  gi\-en  him  a  phice  in  the  hearts  of  the  ]jeople. 
His  })ower  lay  mainly  in  pathos  and  persuasion.  Lovingly 
ond  tenderly  he  wooed  hundreds  to  the  Saviour's  side.  He 
was  once  sent  for  to  preach  to  an  invalid  woman. 
There  was  not  a  Christian  present,  but  so  tender  was  his 
ap])eal  to  sinners  that  jnany  were  converted,  and  the  in- 
liuenee  of  ihat  one  sermon  spi-ead  throughout  the  county. 
•.i\ew  i!o|ie  church  wiis  the  direct  I'esnlt.  of  (hat  sermon. 

lie  ^vas  a  strong  advocate  of  lemjierance,  and  sought  to 
save  the  youths  of  ^'adk'in  N'alley  from  king  alcohol's  cruel, 
cursing  dominion.  Me  was,  likewise,  imbiu'd  Avith  the 
missionary  spirit,  and  like  the  revered  ]\rartin  Ross  of  the 
Chowan  country,  Smith  Ferguson  shed  the  liglit  of  the 
missionary  spirit  over  all  that  section. 

He  lingered  on  till  late  in  the  nineteenth  centu;;y,  Avlicn 
he  died  the  friend  of  nil. 

SAMXJEL    WATT. 

Samuel  Wait  must  have  a  ])lace  in  this  chapter.  He 
was  boi'n  in  Washington  County,  iNew,  York,  T3eceml)er 
19,    1Y80,   professed  faith   and   was  ba])tized  March    12, 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  '  67 

ISOO,  and  united  ^vith  the  Eaptist  chui'ch  at  Middletown, 
Vermont.  That  same  night  he  began  conducting  family 
prayers  in  his  father's  home. 

Feeling  called  to  preach  he  began  to  study  tlie  Greek 
and  Hebrew  languages.  His  first  pastorate  was  at  Sha- 
ron, Massachusetts,  by  which  church  ho  was  called  to  ordi- 
nation, June  o,  ISIS.  A  few  days  afterward  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Sarah  Merriam.  liesigning  Sharon  he 
spent  some  time  at  Columbian  College  preparing  for  a 
greater  work  for  the  future.  In  all  these  eiforts  his  wife 
saeriticed  for  him  nobly. 

He  was  a  tutor  in  Columbian  College  four  years  and 
tlicu  was  appointed,  along  with  Dr.  William  Stoughton, 
to  travel  "to  obtain  subscriptions  for  the  relief  of  the  i]i- 
stitution."  On  this  mission  he  came  to  Edenton  and  jSTew 
Bern,  Plymouth  and  Washington,  jSTorth  Carolina.  He 
was  caHed  to  N^csw  Bei-n,  and  in  ISTovember,  1827,  lie  found 
liiiiiself  located  in  the  Old  North  Stiite. 

He  was  llio  originator  of  the  iNTorLli  (^arolinu  Slate  Cou- 
venlioii,  and  at  its  organization  ])r('ai'lu'd  the  introduc- 
loiy  serjuoH  from  ?\latt,  '.):3G — 38.  He  was  appointed 
General  Agent  of  tlio  Convention  to  canvass  the  Stat<i 
and  enlist  the  sympathies  of  the  churches.  He  also  per- 
suaded Thomas  Meredith  to  assume  the  publication  of 
rlie  IjiierprctcTj  afterwards  called  the  Bihllcal  Bccorder. 
He  took  the  first  subscription  to  tliis  paper. 

j\rorcover,  he  planned  the  founding  of  that  little  school 
in  Wake  County  whicli  afterward  became  Wake  Forest 
College.  In  December,  1832,  he  became  Principal  of  the 
Now  School.  Here  began  his  unceasing  toils  aud  sacri- 
fices for  Wake  Forest  College.     He  struggled  on  to  raise 


68  A  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

money  to  pay  for  the  farm,  erect  the  main  building  and 
run  the  Institution  without  debt.  But  debt  like  a  cloud 
hnng  over  it,  and  Dr.  Wait  was  led  to  resign  the  Presi- 
dency jSTovember  2G,  1844.  His  resignation  was  accepted 
to  go  into  eifect  in  June,  1845. 

He  was  then  pastor  of  churches  in  Caswell,  Granville, 
Pej'son  and  Franklin  counties.  In  1851  he  became  Presi- 
dent of  Oxford  Female  College  and  continued  here  till 
the  sunnner  of  1857.  He  then  returned  to  Wake  Forest, 
and  there  spent  tlie  closing  years  of  his  life.  Wake  For- 
est was  near  and  dear  to  his  heart,  and  in  his  last  years  he 
used  to  walk  around  tlie  old  building  and  view,  with  sweet 
reminiscences  the  scenes  of  his  early  struggles.  He  died 
July  28,  IS 07,  at  Wake  Forest  College. 

JOH]N"    LA:\rB    PRITCIIAliD. 

John  Lamb  Pritchard  M-as  born  June  G,  1811,  Pasqno- 
taidv  County.  His  father  died  when  John  was  only  nine 
years  old.  His  mother  went  bac'k  to  Camden.  John  had 
10  work  on  the  farm  awhile,  but  then  became  a  carpenter. 
At  night  he  nsed  to  read  all  the  books  in  his  reach  and  thus 
formed  the  habit  of  reading.  At  20  years  of  age  he  was 
happily  converted  and  was  baptized  into  the  fellowship  of 
Shiloh  clinrch  by  Pev.  Evan  Forbes,  At  once  lie  began 
to  hold  prayer-meetings  from  house  to  house,  and  contin- 
ued the  glorious  revival  in  whicli  he  found  the  Saviour. 
He  thought  of  preaching,  but  shrunk  from  such  a  high 
and  holy  office  without  greater  preparation. 

About  this  time  the  Wake  Forest  Institute  was  opened 
and  J.  L.  Pritchard  was  among  tlie  first  that  matriculated. 
He  arrived  about  the  rniddJo  of  1835  with  his  tools  and 
scantv  clothes.   He  graduated  in  1840. 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  69 

He  spent  one  yojir  as  a  teadier  at  ]\Iurf re^^sboro,  preach- 
ing on  Sunday,  He  afterward  became  pastor  in  Dan- 
ville, Virginia,  and  at  Lynchburg.  In  1856  he  became 
pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  Church,  Wilmington,  J^orth 
Carolina,  and  here  he  sliowed  himself  the  Christian  hero. 
His  six  years  of  service  here  endeared  him  more  closely 
than  ever  to  the  hearts  of  Morth  Carolina  Baj^tists.  He 
built  a  new  house  of  worship  in  Wilmington.  When  the 
VN'ar  l)roke  out  and  soldiers  were  concentrating  here,  he 
visited  tlie  camp  and  took  books,  papers  and  magazines  to 
make  them  think  of  better  things, 

]jut  his  greatest  service  was  during  the  yellow  fever 
plague  in  the  summer  and  fall  of  1SG2.  In  the  beautiful 
language  of  iJr.  Hufliam,  ''The  pestilence  raged  with 
fearful  fatality  through  the  summer  and  fall,  but  he  re- 
inaiucd  at  his  post,  ministering  faithfully  and  tenderly  to 
the  sick  and  sorrowing.  The  destroyer  spared  liira  to 
ihe  close  and  took  liiiii  as  one  of  the  last  vu-tiins.  He 
ci'ow'iu'd  a  nol)le  life  with  a  heroic  death,  giving  his  life 
for  his  people."  On  jSTovember  13,  1802,  lie  passed  froui 
earth  to  the  land  wliere  fevers  never  come. 

The  time  would  fail  us  to  record  the  lives  and  deeds  of 
John  Megiamre,  Jesse  Read,  Elisha  Battle,  McCabe, 
Koah  Tison,  Davis  Biggs,  Joseph  Biggs,  Isaac  Hicks,  Eli 
Phillips,  William  Dowd,  James  McDaniel,  John  Arm- 
strong, Thomas  ]\reredith,  William  Hooper,  Asldey 
Swaim,  Adam  ]\'Ioffit,  Ezekiel  Trice,  Tidance  Lane,  Xoah 
Kichardson,  Elnathan  Davis,  the  Purefoys,  the  Stradlcys 
find  a  host  of  others  whose  names  have  not  been  written  in 
tlie  record  of  earth,  but  written  in  the  Lamb's  Book  of 
Life. 


70  A  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS. 

These  preceding  pages  cover  about  one  hnndred  years  of 
Baptist  liistory  in  oS'^ortli  Carolina.  These  were  the  days 
of  strngglo,  but  also  tlio  spring  time  in  which  were  sown 
the  golden  seed  for  the  harvests  we  are  to  describe  in  sub- 
sequent chapters. 


PART   II— PERIOD  OF  ORGANIZATION. 


CIIAPTETi  XII. 

THE   EISE   AND   GROWTH   OF    THE   BAPTIST    STATE    CON- 
VENTIOIST. 

Oar  futhcrs  caught  the  sjjirit  of  the  new  century,  the 
spirit  of  organization,  and  turned  to  the  future  with  a  new 
instrmnent  for  greater  achievements.  In  its  embryonic 
stage  tlie  Baptist  State  Convention  was  the  Xortli  Caro- 
lina J:>apti3t  Benevolent  Society,  organized  in  Grecimlle, 
Pitt  County,  February  10,  1829.  At  the  suggestion  of 
T.  U.  AEason,  rules  and  a  constitution  were  adopted.  P. 
W.  Dowd  was  elected  President;  W.  P.  Piddle,  Thouias 
Meredith  and  W.  H.  Jordan  were  elected  Vice-presidents; 
]-*.  P.  Lawrence,  Corresponding  Secretary ;  'R.  Blount,  Re- 
cording Secretary,  and  II,  Austin,  Treasurer.  A  Board 
of  Directors  was  elected  consisting  of  General  L.  Simp- 
i'on,  ]>.  Iioss,  Samuel  Wait,  W.  Saunders,  Colonel  Dunn, 
Jr.,  C.  Congleton,  JT.  B.  Outlaw,  P.  Lawrence,  W.  Clem- 
ens, J.  Roundtree,  T.  D.  ]\Iason,  G.  Stokes,  J.  Hartmus, 
J.  Armstrong,  P.  Bennett,  J.  Battle,  General  D.  Boone, 
■J.  Purify,  J.  Crudup,  W.  R.  Hinton,  G.  Huckeby,  W.  R. 
Ragan,  T.  Crocker,  C.  McAllister,  J.  Manning,  E.  IIos- 
kins,  H.  Merritt,  IL  Ilamon,  iST.  G,  Smith,  J.  Llawl,  S. 
Phereby,  J.  Baxter,  E.  Phillips,  D,  Kennedy,  B.  Bur- 
roughs, W.  Dowd,  J.  Tenny.  In  the  Constitution  wo  find 
the  purpose  of  the  Society:  "The  exclusive  object  of  this 


72  A  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

Society  slijill  bo  to  raise  funds  and  appropriate  them  to  the 
sun])ort  of  travoliuii'  ministei-s,  for  preaching  the  g'osjjol 
and  administering  its  ordinances  within  tlie  bounds  of 
:North  Caroh'na." 

B.  ]\Ianly,  then  pastor  in  Charleston,  South  Carolina, 
on  being  asked  hy  Samuel  Wait  about  the  expediency  of 
lovjniug  a  Slate  Convention  in  Xorth  Carolina,  responded  : 
''Virginia  had  her  General  Association  on  one  side,  and 
South  (Jarolina  lier  Convention  on  the  other,  and  each 
was  doing  mucli  to  benefit  not  only  her  OAvn  people,  but 
also  to  elevate  by  Ijcr  example  the  churclies  of  Xorth  Caro- 
lina." Wait  talked  over  the  same  measure  with  olher 
leading  preachers.  As  a  result,  the  North  Carolina  Be- 
nevolent Societ}'  ^vas  formed  and  from  it  came  the  Stata 
<."onvrniion. 

At  tljc  second  meeting  of  the  Benevolent  Society,  Green- 
ville, North  Carolina,  March  2G,  1S30,  the  Baptist  State 
^  Conveniion  was  organized.  A  resolution  was  passed  dis- 
:?i;)l\ing  the  BcncAolcnt  Society  and  transferring  its  fmids 
tc  ilie  ('onvciili^m.  Thomas  Aleredith,  of  Edcnton,  niiticl- 
patiiig  the  event,  liad  drawn  up  a  Constitution,  wliich  was 
read  and  adopted.  :n'ticle  by  article,  and  tluis  the  Conven- 
tion began  its  memorable  career. 

The  birtli))lace  of  the  (Convention  is  sacred  to  the  hearts 
of  North  Carolina  Baptists,  as  is  shown  by  the  splendid 
]\[emorial  Church  Building  of  Greenville.  Greenville  wai; 
established  in  1771,  but  the  Ba|)tist  church  there  was  not 
organized  till  1827.  Through  the  labors  of  T.  "D.  Mason 
the  church  was  built  and  he  was  its  first  pastor.  It  was 
received  into  the  Nense  Association  October,  1827.  This 
was  not  the  oldest  Bapiist  church  in  Pitt  County.     Eed 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  73 

iJanl^s  Baptist  eliiirch  enjoyed  this  distinction,  being  or- 
ganized abont  the  middle  of  the  ISth  century. 

Samuel  \\\ait  was  appointed  by  the  Convention  as  its 
General  Agent,  with  a  salary  of  $35.00  per  month.  He 
Avas  to  canvass  the.  State  and  enlist  the  sympathy  of  the 
ell  arches  for  the  ('onvention. 

The  lirst  annual  meetinii,-  of  the  Convention  was  at  Jaog;- 
ers'  Cross-Eonds,  Wake  Coimty.  There  were  delegates 
from  churches  or  missionary  societies  in  sixteen  counties: 
The  contributions  of  the  year  amounted  to  $791.70.  Dr. 
Wait  reported  he  had  preached  2-1:3  sermons  and  organ- 
izi'd  31  missionary  societies.  These  societies,  however, 
were  soon  to  pass  away  and  the  chtirchcs  to  co-operate 
directly  with  the  (Vjnvention.  Because  of  much  opposi- 
tion to  the  work  of  tlie  Convention  at  first,  Dr.  AVait  was 
somewhat  despondent.  But,  in  the  main,  his  report  was 
full  of  l)ope.  Kc  said  :  "The  people  are  ready  to  take  an  ac- 
tive part  in  the  work  ]'>ropnsed,  *  '■'  "''^  to  scjid  the  gos]iel 
to  tlie  destitute  in  our  o^vn  State  and  also  to  aid  in  sending 
tlie  same  treasure  to  distant  heathen  nations.'' 

Dr.  Wait  was  reappointed  as  General  .Vgent,  and  a 
Board  of  ^ianagers  was  appointed  to  press  the  work  of 
missions.  At  this  time  tlie  Board  selected  four  mission- 
aries and  assigned  to  them  fields  of  labor  in  sections  des- 
titttte  07  the  gospel.  The  missionaries  were  J.  L.  Warren, 
Eli  Phillips,  William  Dowd  and  James  Dennis,  Tlius 
closed  the  first  session  of  the  Convention,  small  in  its  out- 
ward results,  but  great  in  its  promises  for  a  brightei* 
future. 

Tlte  second  session  was  held  at  Eives'  Chapel,  Chatliam 
County,  1832,  and,  in  many  respects,  was  one  of  the  most 


74  A  HISTORY  OF  THK  BAPTISTS 

remarkable  JBaptist  meetings  ever  held  in  tlie  State.  There 
\vere  representatives  from  thirty  counties:  Anson,,  Bla- 
den, IJerrie,  Burke,  Carteret,  Craven,  Chatham,  Chowan, 
Cund)erland,  Davidson,  Duplin,  Edgecombe,  Franklin, 
Gates,  Guilfori!,  Iredell,  Lenoir,  Lincoln,  ]\Iontgomery, 
]\L()ure,  jNIasli,  Orange,  Pasquotank,  Richmond,  Bowan, 
Sainpson,  Stokes,  Surry,  Wake  and  Wilkes.  The  [jer- 
sonnid  of  tlie  Convention  represented  the  best  thought  and 
purpose,  not  only  of  the  Baptists,  but  also  of  the  best  peo- 
ple of  tlie  State.  J'rom  Anson  were  John  Culpcper,  the 
po})ul<u'  leader  of  the  Pee  Dee,  his  son,  John  Culpeper, 
Jr.,  afterward  useful  minister  in  South  Carolina,  Joel 
'^LcLenden  and  Gilbert  T,ownsend.  From  Bertie  were 
Turner  Carter  and  ^Villianl  Home,  distinguished  laymen, 
and  Aaron  Spivcy  the  cultured  preacher.  From  Cum- 
berland were  James  ^icDaniel,  famed  for  eloquence, 
Charles  ^[cAllister,  a  wealthy  planter.  Currituck  sent 
James  G.  Hall,  a  graduate  of  the  University  and  a  charm- 
ing writer  and  s])ea]<:er.  Duplin  was  represented  hy  Dr. 
Stephen  Graliam,  a  ])liysiciau  of  wealtli  and  influence,  and 
Elder  George  W.  ITufham,  the  classical  scholar  who  read 
Greek  and  T^atin  with  ease  at  eighty  years  of  age.  From 
Edgecombe  went  Amos  J.  Battle,  grandson  of  Elisha  Bat- 
tle and  brother  of  Hon.  W.  11.  Battle,  and  IT.  Austin  tlie 
Treasurer.  Chatliam  was  represented  hy  Daniel  Hackney 
and  Elisha  Straughn.  From  Lenoir  were  W.  P.  and  S. 
S.  Biddle.  From  ]\roo]"e  was  Xoah  Richardson,  the  peer 
of  James  ]\rcDaniel  in  pulpit  oratory.  From  Gates  was 
Quinton  IT.  Trotman.  From  Richmond  County  went 
John  j\ronroe,  also  James  Thomas,  who  shortly  afterward 
OTganized  the  Baptist  church  at  Lumberton,     George  Fen- 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  75 

nell,  the  popular  preacher,  went  from  Sampson.  Wake 
Cowniy  liacl  the  Largest  delegation,  the  most  influential  of 
whom  were  Dr.  William  Hooper  and  Elder  John  Purefoy. 

This  was  a  Convention  worthy  of  any  great  cause  or 
State.  Fivo  of  its  delegates,  S.  S.  Biddle,  Hall,  Hooper, 
Ilufham,  Spivey,  were  alumni  of  the  State  University; 
Thomas  Meredith  was  a  graduate  of  the  University  of 
Pemisylvania ;  Armstrong,  Dowd  and  Wait  were  gradu- 
ates of  Columbian  College.  Evidently  these  men  had 
caught  the  spirit  of  that  age,  for  the  spirit  of  organization 
pei'vaded  that  memorable  assembly.  It  was  at  this  Con- 
vention that  a  Baptist  periodical  was  projected.  Dr.  W^ait, 
at  the  preceding  session,  saw  the  need  of  a  medium  of  com- 
munication between  the  churches  and  'exhorted  the  Con- 
vention ''to  give  to  the  people  '''•  ''•"  *  correct  information 
on  all  the  efforts  of  the  present  day,  tx)  become  the  in- 
strumculs  of  saving  ])()or  siniuuvs."  Thouuis  Meredith 
'ivas  imhiccd  (o  undc^-take  the  editing  of  tlie  pap(>r,  at  first 
to  he  a  monthly.  The  Convention  ordered  that  its  first 
issue  should  be  in  Janmiry,  I808,  and  that  the  paper 
should  be  styled  The  Inter  pre  ter,  which,  in  the  follow- 
ing year  became  Tlie  Biblical  Recorder. 

This  Convention  appointed  a  committee  also  to  advise  .^' 
The  establishment  of  a  '"Manual  Labor  Institute."  This 
coinmittec  having  failed,  anotlier  was  appointed  by  the 
managers  of  the  Convention  in  the  following  December. 
This  comniittee  consisted  of  John  Armstrong,  Thoraa* 
]\Ieredith  and  Samuel  Wait,  who  planned  the  founding  of 
Wake  Eorest  Institute,  whicli  afterward  became  tlie  glo- 
rious Wake  Eorest  College.  Dr.  William  Hooper  was 
chairman  of  the  first  committee  and  he  was  the  first  to  ad- 


76  A  IQSTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

vise,  in  otHciai  eupacitj',  the  foundiug  of  the  Baptist  Col- 
leg-e  of  the  State. 

Moreover,  this  Couventiou  elected  an  able  board  of 
managers  to  push  the  work  of  missions.  The  blessed  re- 
sults reported  by  Warren,  Phillips,  DoAvd  and  Demiis  en- 
couraged tlie  board  to  undertake  still  greater  things.  They 
reeoninicnded,  especially,  the  building  of  Baptist  churches 
in  growing  towns  that  the  Baptist  faith  might  take  root 
and  grow  apace  with  advancing  civilization.  Directions 
were  given  for  enlarging  tlie  work  in  Raleigh,  Edenton 
and  Halifax,  and  $100  were  appropriated  to  aid  the 
church  in  ^Vihuington.  The  board  directed  that  special 
attention  should  be  given  to  the  organization  and  discip- 
line of  Sunday  schools. 

Tlie  spirit  of  this  Convention  was  lofty  and  enthusias- 
tic from  beginning  to  end.  The  enthusiasm  culminated 
on  Sunday.  Ueligious  exercises  commenced  at  an  early 
liour.  Vast  crowds  had  assembled  in  the  grove.  i\[ere- 
dith  and  Armstrong  ascended  the  stage  to  preach.  At  11 
o'clock  they  were  followed  by  James  j\[cDaniel.  lie  was 
at  his  best,  and  as  he  rose  to  the  heights  of  his  eloquent 
fervor  the  crowds  were  melted  to  tears.  lie  closed  with 
a  tender  appeal  for  reconsccration  of  Christians  and  hun- 
dreds responded.  At  night  the  venerable  John  Purefoy 
and  George  M.  Thompson  dispensed  the  Word.  Still  the 
interest  grow  till  on  Tuesday  noon  the  delegates  gave  each 
other  the  parting  hand  and  went  back  to^vard  the  sea  and 
toward  tlie  hills  to  rekindle  the  fire  of  enthusiasm  in  the 
churches  at  home. 

Tn  1S33  the  Convention  met  at  Cartledge  Creek  ]\reet- 
ing-house,  Piichmond  County,  Avherc  forward  steps  were 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  77 

tnken  iu  missions  ami  education.  The  permauenee  of  the 
Convention  was  established  at  Rives'  Chapel;  and  hence- 
forward oi)position  was  but  a  fleeting  shadow. 

Sixty-eight  sessions  have  followed  in  the  same  plan  of 
enlarging  work.  The  Convention  has  always  apjjointed 
some  of  its  best  men  as  general  agents,  or  secretaries. 
Samuel  Wait,  John  Culpepcr,  Yarborough  of  Milton, 
B.  F.  ]\rarable  and  A.  J.  Emerson  successfully  filled  the 
position  pi'ior  to  the  Civil  War.  Since  that  time  the  Con- 
vention has  been  a])ly  represented  by  J.  D.  Ilufham,  J.  B. 
Itieliardrion,  Jolin  E.  Ray,  Columbus  Durham,  John  E. 
White  and  Livingston  Jolmson.  These  men  have  trav- 
eled over  the  State  from  the  mountains  to  the  sea,  visiting 
the  Associations,  preaching  the  Word,  and  with  their  ad- 
dresses of  instruction  and  power  have  led  the  churches  up 
to  greater  plans  and  grander  results. 


78  A  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

INSTITUTIOX  ANU  DEVELOl'MEXT  OF   THE  EECOKDEK. 

The  lirst  child  of  the  Baptist  State  Convention  was  the 
Eapti.st  paper.  \\'hile  traveling  over  the  Stato  during  tlic 
Conx^entioiial  }ear  of  1830-31,  l)v.  Wait  was  impressed 
witli  the  deplorable  ignorance  of  the  Baptists  concerning 
the  destitntion  of  their  State,  the  plans  of  the  Convention 
and  the  demands  of  the  great  commission,  "Go  ye  into 
all  the  worhl  and  make  disci})les  of  all  nations."  So,  in  a 
speech  before  the  Convention  at  Kogers'  Cross-Boads, 
1S31,  he  s])oke  of  the  need  of  a  paper.  During  the  next 
_)ear  lie  talked  over  tlie  founding  of  a  Baptist  paper  witli 
njany  of  the  leading  men  of  the  denomination,  and  tliere 
was  imanimiiv  of  opinion  as  to  tlie  importance  of  estab- 
lishing such  an  enterprise.  During  the  year  1832,  for 
.sevt'ral  mouths  before  llie  Convention  met  at  Bives' 
Clui]K'l,  Dr.  AVait  \vas  taking  subscriptions  for  a  Baptist 
pa])er.  lie  could  not  tell  whether  it  Avould  l)e  a  monthly 
or  a  weekly,  wliat  woidd  be  its  name,  wliere  it  would  be 
published,  or  what  would  be  its  price.  Still,  lie  secured 
about  200  names  to  bead  the  subscription  list  of  the  con- 
templated Baptist  paper. 

Tlie  formation  of  a  company  for  its  publication  w'aa 
discussed,  l)ut  all  the  loading  brethren  (piniled  before  the 
assumjjtion  of  such  a  burden.  They  were  not  willing  to 
incur  a  great  debt,  .and  no  one  was  willing  to  advance  tlie 
necessary  capital  for  the  institution  and  prosecution  of 
tlie  enter])rise.  When  the  Convention  met  at  Bives' 
Chajiel,  at  last  a  nobledieartcd,  bvoad-minded  mail  agreed 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  79 

to  undertake  the  great  and  glorious  work.  That  man  was 
Thomas  Meredith,  then  pastor  of  the  Baptist  chureli  of 
Edenton.  The  Convention  projected  the  paper  and  ap^ 
pointed  Thomas  ]\Ieredilli  as  its  first  editor.  The  papci- 
was  to  bo  knoM'u  as  The  Inter [jveier. 

The  man  who  took  into  his  hands  and  upon  his  heart 
tlie  \\'ork  of  giving  the  Baptists  of  Xorth  Carolina  a  peri- 
odical worthy  of  the  denomination,  merits  more  than 
passing  notice  from  our  pe]i.  Thomas  jMercdilh  was  grad- 
uatc-d  fn)iii  llu'  Uni\'ersity  of  Pennsylvania,  and  was  odu- 
ciitcd  for  tlie  hiw.  Jjut  God  liad  a  higher  and  nobler 
\\'ork  for  him.  After  he  Avas  converted,  he  soon  felt  im- 
pressed with  the  duty  of  preaching  "'the  glorious  gospel  of 
the  blessed  God."  So  he  gave  up  the  law.  But  his  legal 
education  was  not  lost,  for  it  made  liim  a  deeper  thinker 
and  a  readier  speaker.  Early  in  life,  in  1820,  lie  caine 
to  iN'orth  Carolina  and  settled  as  pastor  of  tlie  Baptist 
church  of  Edenton.  His  eaidy  training  and  thorough 
course  at  the  famous  E^niversity  placed  him  high  in  rank 
among  tlie  Ba])tists  of  the  State,  and  qualified  him  for 
rendering  tliom  one  of  the  greatest  services  done  by  any 
cue  of  its  early  heroes. 

Edenton  was  honored  as  the  first  home  of  the  Baptist  ^' 
paper,  Avhose  name  became  the  Biblical  Piecorder  in  1S33. 
It  also  began  at  this  time  to  be  published  weelcly.  Eden- 
ton was  M'el]  w(U'thy  of  the;  hnu.or  of  giving  the  Biblical 
Recorder  its  first  liome.  It  was  long  the  cajiital  of  the 
State,  tlie  liome  of  the  early  governors,  and  the  seat  of  the 
State  records.  So  it  w'as  only  fitting  that  it  should  give 
our  State  the  first  Baptist  records  through  the  columns  of 
tlie  first  Baptist  pa]:)er. 


8o  A  HISTORY  OF  THK  BAPTISTS 

Thomas  J\Iereditli,  I^iliG,  Av;is  called  to  the  pastorate  of 
tlic  Baptist  church  in  JS'ew  Beru,  and  so  this  antique  little 
towji  on  the  Xeuse  by  the  sea  became  the  second  home 
of  the  Jiccorder.  But  JSTew  Bern  was  not  a  central  point, 
and,  in  order  to  increase  the  paper's  circulation  and  usc-- 
fulness,  ]\lerediih  moved  to  lialeigh  in  1S3S.  Erom  that 
time  our  capital  city  has  continued  to  be  the  homo  of  the 
Biblical  Recorder. 

Thomas  j\[eredith  was  a  ready  writer,  as  well  as  a 
fluent  speaker.  He  successfully  represented  the  paper  in 
the  associations  and  before  the  Convention  by  his  clear 
and  forceful  speeches  on  its  behalf.  But  more  than  this, 
lie  was  an  able  and  competent  editor.  lie  was  thoroughly 
informed  on  all  the  topics  of  the  day,  and  hence  was  ready 
to  nmho  a  readable  })aper  and  meet  any  emer»'ency.  He 
had  to  measure  pens  with  many  of  ottr  leading  l']aptists  of 
those  days,  btit-he  was  the  match  of  any  of  his  day.  Aiore 
than  this,  he  successfully  maintained  tlie  tcniets  of  the  Bap- 
tists in  the  columns  of  his  pai)er  when  he  was  assailed  by 
Pedobaptist  pens. 

For  nineteen  years  he  was  the  popular  and  efficient  edi- 
V  tor  of  the  Bihlical  Recorder.  In  this  position  he  proba- 
bly did  more  for  the  Bajitlsts  of  the  State  than  did  any 
other  man  during  that  same  time,  unless  Dr.  Wait  be  ex- 
cepted. He  was  one  of  the  greatest  of  iSTorth  Carolina's 
early  Baptist  heroes.  He  closed  his  usefrJ  life  in  1851, 
in  Ealeigh,  Avhilc  still  at  his  post  of  duty  wielding  the 
popular  pen  as  the  Recorder  s  editor.  He  now  sleeps  in 
the  cemetery  in  Baleigh.  A  moimment,  the  language  of 
his  brethren's  love  and  praise,  marks,  his  resting  place. 
V  The  two  greatest  results  achieved  by  the  Recorder  wera 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  8l 

aii'itiition  of  iiiissious  and  the  imiticatioii  of  tlio  cburchos. 
J  list  a  few  years  before  the  Itecordcr  was  instituted, 
tiie  iiaptists  of  tiie  State  were  agitated  over  the  question  of 
missions.  liardshellisni  had  laid  its  elutches  upon  many 
of  the  ehurehes,  and  tliey  had  folded  their  hands  and  sat 
down  to  let  God  save  the  world  in  His  own  good  time, 
without  '"human  institutions,"  as  they  called  modern  or- 
ganizations. This  baneful  "ism"'  had  tainted  the  Ivehu- 
L'ee  Association,  so  that  it  was  wholly  given  up  to  the 
".Primitive  Baptists,"  as  the  anti-missionary  brethren  de- 
lighted to  style  themselves.  'I'he  missionary  churcliea 
joined  the  Chowan,  Tar  lliver  and  other  Associations,  and 
so  the  \vork  of  missions  moved  on,  wliile  the  anti-mission 
cliurches  diminished  in  ninnbers,  power  and  iniiuencc. 
The  most  ])otent  agent  for  missions  was  tlie  JJiblical  lie- 
coi'dcr.  Aleredith  and  the  otlier  early  editors  were  thor- 
oughly imbued  with  the  spirit  of  missions,  and  from  the 
Recorder  s  colmnns  Hashed  the  glorious  light  of  missions. 
Tliey  gave  information  about  the  destitute  portions  of  the 
St;iie,  and  early  began  to  tell  the  sad  story  of  China, 
Africa  and  Mexico,  witli  their  millions  of  lost  and  dying 
souls. 

<^  The  Recorder  was  also  a  unifier  of  the  churches  and 
brethren.  .By  reading  the  same  paper,  tlie  brethren  down 
by  the  sea  were  brought  in  touch  with  the  brethren  on  the 
jnounrains.  People  of  different  sections  naturally  drift 
apart,  unless  there  is  some  chain  to  bind  them  closer  to- 
getlier.  Our  State  is  a  large  one,  stretching  500  miles, 
fi'oui  the  Atlantic  to  the  Smoky  Kange,  with  three  natur- 
ally distinct  sections — the  Tidewater,  the  Piedmont,  and 
the  ALouutainous,     But  the  Recorder  has  helped  to  bring 

6 


82  A  HISTORY  OF  THK  BAPTISTS 

thf  cliiu'C'lies  of  the  three  seetioiis  into  oue  united  body. 
It  has  nivL-n  tlie  Baptists  of  the  whole  State  the  same  infor- 
mation, led  them  to  adopt  the  same  inspiring  principles, 
and  indtieed  them  to  adu])t  the  same  effective  plans  for  the 
extension  of  the  Pilaster's  kingdom.  It  has  nnide  them 
oue  in  faith,  one  in  practice,  one  in  plans  and  purposes 
for  the  glory  of  God. 

^,  Another  scareely  less  important  service  of  the  JRccordcr 
■was  its  fi'iendly  attitttde  toward  edtication.  From  its 
infancy  it  advocated  more  light  and  less  darkness,  more 
intelligence  and  less  ignorance.'-  Its  columns  first  an- 
riouiiced  the  oj)eiiIng  of  the  little  seliool  on  llii'  farm  of 
Calvin  Jones,  iu  Wake  (^')\lnty.  From  that  day  to  tliis, 
the  111!)! teal  I'ccora'cr  luis  been  the  staunchcst  friend  of  the 
Colleue,  and  has  ever  pushed  its  interests  with  unabated 
de\'otion.  Also,  the  pnhlic  school  system  has  received 
many  a  friendly  lift  from  the  Rccordci-.  This  i)a])er  has 
always  l)i'en  on  llie  side  of  the  ])eo]»lf,and  has  ad\'ocatcd  the 
(.nliglitennienl  (d'  the  masses  of  the  Stale.  .Morc'(»\'e]',  the 
lii'conlrr  early  began  to  advocate  a  more  classical  ednca- 
tion  in  academies  and  high  schools. 

Wlien  death  took  fi'om  Meredith's  hand  the  editor's  pen, 
the  Convention  hand(;d  it  over  to  Dr.  J.  J.  James.  lie 
])roved  his  editorial  al)ility,  and  put  the  ]:ia])er  on  a  surf? 
iinancial  fooling,  in  addition  to  extending  its  circulation 
and  increasing  its  littn'ary  n\erit.  He  was  editor  until 
the  Civil  War  broke  out. 

During  the  wai',  and  for  some  years  after  its  close,  the 
])apc'i'  was  very  much  crijijjled.  It  was  edited  iu  those 
days  hy  Dr.  J.  I).  Ilnfham  and  J.  \L  Willis,  l)oth  men 
(jf  power  willi  (he  pen.  ihit  the  Jiecordcr  had  not  yet 
found  its  nnan. 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  83 

In  ISTij,  C.  T.  Bailey  became  the  editor,  and  in  this 
cripacity  ably  served  the  denomination  till  his  death  in 
18U5.  lie  was  an  able  preacher,  and  had  served  as  pas- 
tor of  Edcnton  church  and  many  others ;  but  tlie  twenty 
years  which  he  gave  to  the  Jh'cordcr  were  his  best  and 
briuiitest  years.  These  years  told  more  for  the  advance- 
ment of  the  blaster's  kingdom  than  everything  else  he  did. 
lie  was  a  deep  thinker,  a  ready  writer,  and  a  wise  planner, 
lie  made  the  Becorder  the  champion  of  State  missions  in 
tliat  period  when  the  modern  development  began.  With 
his  flowing  pen  he  extolled  the  past  and  painted  the  future 
ui  Wake  Forest  College.  In  short,  he  made  the  Recorder 
the  uiu:'om])romisiiig  champion  of  the  Convention's  every 
object. 

In  18SS,  it  was  deemed  necessary  to  put  an  agent  into 
the  lield  to  increase  the  circulation  of  the  pa])er.  This 
new  agc^nt  was  J.  (\  Caddcll,  of  A\^ake  Forest,  lie  was 
an  alnnimis  of  Wako  Forest  College,  and  largely  increased 
tlie  circulation  of  the  Jlecorde)'.  He  visited  the  Associa- 
tions and  Conventions,  and  so  stirred  up  the  Baptists  that 
he  put  nearly  7,000  names  on  the  subscription  list. 

Edwards  &  Broughton,  Baleigh,  became  the  ju'oprietors 
of  the  Piecordo-  in  1805,  and  ])ut  the  subscription  down  to 
$1.50  a  year.  They  \)\\i  new  life  into  the  }jaj)er,  increased 
irs  circulation  through  the  agencv  of  Caddell  and  X.  L. 
Shaw,  and  broadened  its  efliciency  through  the  editorial 
tal(Mi)s  of  J.   W.   I'ailey, 

'    At   the   Ivaleigh   Coiiveutioii,    Deci'inber,    IDOO,   it   was  /■ 
decided  best  to  ]nit  the;  Ji\'corder  into  the  hands  ol'  a  stock 
coiiipimy  uiiikM-  ilie  direct  coiilrol  of  the  C^onvention.      The 
Recorder  is  now  pulilished  l)y  said  company. 


84  A  HISTORY  OF  THK  BAPTISTS 

Two  year.s  bol'ovu  his  father  Jiocl,  J.  W.  Bailey  began 
the  editorial  work.  Under  the  supervision  of  iiis  father, 
he  Avrote  the  most  of  the  editorials.  On  the  death  of  his 
father,  Juno  5,  1895,  he  assumed  the  responsibility  of  edi- 
tor. Though  young  in  years,  he  has  proved  old  in  thought 
and  ripe  Avith  the  pen.  liu  has  enlarged  the  sphere  of 
the  lifcordcr  in  its  relations  with  the  ehurches.  He  has 
grappled  soeial,  eeouomic  and  educational  problems,  and 
usually  he  has  led  the  Baptists  of  tlie  State  wisely.  He 
has  extended  the  horizon  of  a  denominational  paper,  and 
ha's  nuido  the  llecordcr  the  peer  of  any  religious  periodical, 
South  or  jSTorth.  Dr.  Kilgo,  President  of  Trinity  College 
(Methodist),  says:  ''The  liccorder  talces  the  lead  in  this 
larger  sphere,  and  will^sooncr  or  hater,  revolutionize  the 
idea  of  religious  journalism  in  these  regions.  Editor 
Bailey  has  a  large  task  before  him,  but  the  end  is  worth 
the  ex])enditure  of  all  his  talents.  The  Baptists  Avill  lose 
a  su|n-eme  (ip|)ortunity,  if  they  do  not  sustain  him  in  this 
work." 

Ntu-  iiavc  the  Baptisis  of  Xorth  Caroliua  failed  to  reeofr- 
nize  and  emlorst'  the  I'Xteuih'd  s])here  of  the  BlbJical  Rc- 
curdci:  Sa)'s  Dr.  Hume  eoneerniug  the  young  editor: 
^'ilorc  and  more  etl'ectivo  laymen  are  rising  to  meet  the 
demand  for  jn'actical  help  and  leadership,  and  one  young 
man  of  the  number  (J.  W.  Bailey)  wields  an  incisive  pen 
and  a  powerful  influence  through  the  leading  denomina- 
tional ]")ai)er,  the  Jjihlical  Ilecorder'' 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  85 

CHAPTER  XIV.    ^ 

WAKE    .FO]?EST    COLLEGE^    ITS    ORTGIA''    AXD    GEOWTH. 

Dr.  Wait,  in  his  travels  over  the  State  in  1830  and  1S31, 
was  impressed  witli  the  illiteracy  of  the  Baptist  preachers. 
There  were  only  five  University  gTadnatcs  aniong  the  del- 
egates at  Hives'  (Jhapel.  So  in  those  days  Baptist  preach- 
ers, not  attending  the  University,  had  no  school  within  the 
borders  of  the  State.  Dr.  Wait  M'as  the  first  man  that 
planned  the  fonnding  of  a  scliool  for  the  edncation  of 
Ba])tist  preachers  in  Xorth  Carolina,  which  ^vas  at  first 
the  sole  aim  of  the  contemplated  school.  It  was  thonglit 
by  a  nmnher  of  the  brethren  that  a  school  to  give  the 
preachers  an  English  edncation  wonld  meet  the  demand. 
But  Dr.  Wait  saw  that  a  higher  school  was  needed. 

At  first  the  institntion  was  to  he  a  mannal  labor  school. 
So  a  large  farm  of  000  acres  in  Wake  Connty,  1(5  milcd 
from  Raleigh,  was  boiiglit  for  $2,000  from  l)i'.  ('alvin 
Jones  by  the  Convention  at  lliv^es'  Chapel.  The  pjoard 
of  the  Convention  in  Ivaleigh,  Decend)er,  1832,  apptnnted 
a  committee  to  secnre  a  principal.  Dr.  Samuel  Wait  was 
elected  and  accepted  the  position.  It  being  impossible  to 
si  art  the  school  at  once,  Dr.  Wait  was  asked  to  continne 
his  agency  for  the  Convention  another  year  and  lay  the 
new  school  before  tlie  Ba])tists  of  the  State, 

WAKE    FOREST    OPEJ'J'ED. 

At  the  third  session  of  the  State  Convention  at  Cart- 
lego's  Creek,  Bichmond  (^nnity,  arrangements  were  inaile 
to  open  the  new  school,  which  was  to  be  called  "Wake 
Eorest  j\Iannal  Labor  Institute."     It  opened  on  the  first 


86  A  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

.Monday  in  February,  iSo4.      0.  11.  ALcrriani,  brother  of 
Dr.  Wait's  wife,  took  cliarge  of  the  farm. 

TILE  T,0G-CA1JIX   J)Ok:mitoi;ies. 

Wait  found  seven  substantial  Jog  cabins,  bnilt  mostly  of 
^vhite  oak,  Avitli  good  doors,  iloors,  roofs  and  Avindows  (ex- 
cei)t  one).  The  Principal  had  these  waslied  out  cleanly, 
^vhite^va5hcd,  and  fnrnished  with  beds  for  the  new  stu- 
dents. Not  a  iniirnmr  was  ever  heard  from  the  young 
men,  althongh  they  knew  they  were  sleeping  in  log  cabins 
bnilt  for  colored  slaves. 

TH  K   DIXING-JIAT.L. 

The  largest  room  available  at  first  was  only  eighteen 
feet  sqmire,  and  in  this  room  about  seventy  boys  must  eat 
three  times  a  day.  The  table  had  to  be  set  three  times  for 
each  meal,  and  two  sets  of  the  boys  had  to  take  their  turn 
in  waiting  at  each  meal.  How  hnngry  the  third-table 
boys  mnst  have  gotten  sometimes!  Yet  tliey  did  not  com- 
plain. They  were  there,  not  to  feast  their  bodies  at  costly 
tables  but  to  feed  their  brains  with  intellectual  food. 

THE  BUGGY-HOUSE  CHAPEL. 

Dr.  Jones  had  a  carriage  house  IG  by  2-i  feet.  In  this 
the  students  met  Dr.  Wait  to  receive  his  lectures  and  to 
worship,  morning  and  evening.  The  only  lecture-room  or 
chapel  for  the  first  year  was  the  carriage  house,  wdnch  had 
been  furnished  with  benches  and  desks.  In  this  room 
tlie  consecrated  Wait  had  to  classify  and  teach  nearly  sev- 
enty young  men  of  various  degrees  of  advancement,  and 
with  different  purposes  for  life. 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  8/ 

■  THE    FIRST    CHARTER. 

^'  Xcxt,  tlie  Institute  must  have  a  charter.  This  first 
charter  was  secured  from  the  Legislature  of  1833-34.  A 
respectalile  majority  in  the  House  of  (Commons  voted  for 
the  charter,  but  in  the  Senate  there  Avas  a  tie,  and  ^h'.  W. 
1).  .Closely,  worthy  of  lasting  honor,  cast  the  deciding 
vote  in  favor  of  the  charter.  This  charter  was  very  mea- 
gre in  its  concessions.  It  allowed  the  Institute  to  have  a 
Board  of  Trustees,  wh6  might  perpetuate  themselves  with 
cei'tain  provisions.  It  permitted  the  Institute  to  acquire 
funds  limited  to  $50,000,  continued  the  obligation  to 
pay  taxes,  and  limited  the  time  of  charter  to  20  years. 

SECOND    CHARTER. 

The  Baptists  of  the  State  were  not  satisfied  with  such 
a  charter.  So  the  Trustees  requested  another  from  the 
Legislature  of  1835-36.  This  new  charter  was  a  college 
charter,  and  changed  the  name  of  the  scliool  to  Wahe  For- 
est College,  with  full  power  to  confer  degi'ces  and  to  enjoy 
all  the  prerogatives  of  other  colleges  and  univeryities.  Tlio 
property  was  exempt  from  taxation,  and  might  be  in- 
creased to  $250,000.  This  charter  added  50  years  to  tlic 
time  limit  of  the  original  one. 

FIRST    PROFESSORS    ELECTED. 

In  ^Fay,  1831,  the  new  charter  was  accepted  by  the 
Board,  and  the  prospects  seemed  much  brighter,  Thomas 
Meredith  was  elected  Professor  of  iMathematics  and  jSTat- 
ural  ITistory,  and  John  Armstrong  was  elected  Professor 
of  AiU'ienl  Languages.'  Ilie  former  nevei*  actually  ac- 
ce])ted  tlie  ]X)sif,ioii.      John  Armstnmg  was  to  ent(n"  ai;  once 


88  A  HISTORY  OK  Tllli  BAPTISTS 

ii])()ii  ail  agency  for  raisiiii;'  funds  (Hi  l)tilialf  of  the  Colk'^e, 
and  to  coiinnence  the  duties  of  the  professorsliip  in  tlie 
followiiiii'  i'ebmuuy. 

SUJiSCKIl'TIOXS    VUR    THE    MMX    liL'ILDIXG. 

At  this  ^liiy  meeting,  snbscriptions  were  opened  for  the 
AFain  College  Build Ing.  The  little  log  eahins  were  far 
too  small  for  the  accommodation  of  the  increasing 
numbers  expected  in  the  near  future.  It  was  on  this  oc- 
casion that  C.  ^V,  Sh inner  and  D.  S.  Williams  subscribed 
each  $500,  and  many  others  subscribed  $250  each,  to  be 
])aid  in  live  annual  installments.  During  the  year  John 
Avmstrong  obtained  subscriptions  amounting  to  $17,000. 
The  success  of  his  agency  led  the  Ti'ustees  to  let  the  con- 
tract for  the  AFain  ihiilding.  This  building  was  to  contain 
a  chajxd,  two  lecture  rooms,  two  society  halls,  and  forty- 
eight  dormitories.  The  contract  was  let  for  $15,000. 
"^Jdie  Trustt'es  were  fired  \vith  enthusiasm,  and  Avere  con- 
fident that  the  subscriptions  would  bi'iiig  tlio  cash  for  the 
erection  of  this  building.  But  before  it  was  completed 
<i  iinancial  ])ani(!  oversjn-ead  the  State,  and  even  the  wealth- 
iest men  w(n'e  not  able  to  meet  their  private  obligations. 

THE   CLOUD  OF  DEBT. 

So  a  large  amount  of  these  subscriptions  Avcre  never 
paid.  By  Xovemlier  2-1,  IS-jG,  the  Trustees  were  in  debt 
to  their  Treasurer,  William  Crenshaw,  $2,010.55.  This 
debt  continued  its  ]n-essing  weight  till,  on  December  IS, 
1S3S,  Dr.  Wait  was  appointed  to  take  the  field  as  agent, 
^^dlile  Bev.  J.  B.  White  assumed  the  duties  of  President 
pro  Icm.     This  same  year,  1S3.S,  witnessed  the  abolition 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  89 

of  tJie  manual  labor  feature  of  the  seliooL  The  burden 
of  cJol^t  continued  to  press  the  bretliren,  and  on  October  3, 
IS^Oj  the  Trustees  passed  a  resolution,  "That  we  petition 
the  Legislature  for  a  loan  of  from  $5,000  to  $10,000  from 
the  Literary  Fund."  The  loan  of  $10,000  from  the 
State  was  secured,  and  on  J  anuarj'  2,  18-11,  the  Trustees 
signed  the  bond  for  said  loan.  This  loan  was  to  pay  the 
debts  to  Dennis,  iJunn,  Brown  k  Co.,  and  Cai3tain  Berry, 
the  contractor. 

In  October,  1842,  Captain  Berry  presented  to  the  State 
Convention  the  note  of  the  Trustees  for  $i),000.  Adding 
this  to  the  State  loan,  the  College  was  now  in  debt  $10,000. 
To  raise  the  amount,  subscriptions  were  stai'ted  at  once, 
and  $2,000  were  subscribed  on  tlie  s])ot.  But  notwith- 
standing all  those  strenuous  ellorts,  the  Trustees  could  pay 
only  the  interest  on  the  State  loan,  while  the  rest  of  the 
sul)scri]Uions  ^vent  to  i-elieve  the  debt  to  (captain  l^erry. 
President  Wait  himself  was  responsible  for  $2,000  of  tlic 
contractor's  debt.  The  pressure  of  this  debt,  as  well  as 
other  matters,  on  \)v.  Wait  caused  him  to  oM'cr  his  resig- 
nation of  the  Presidency  of  the  College  on  November  2G, 
1844.  It  was  accepted,  to  go  into  effect  in  June,  1845. 
Ai  this  time  he  was  elected  President  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees,  and  in  this  capacity  served  the  College  till  jMay, 
1SG6. 

SHOWERS    OF    BLESSING. 

While  the  College  was  undcn*  the  cloud  of  debt,  God  was 
graciously  smiling  u])on  it  from  above.  The  College  was 
fij'st  visited  by  a  revival  of  religion  in  August,  18.'j4.  So 
]iowerful  was  the  Avork  of  the  revival  for  two  or  thi'oe 


go  A  HISTORY  OF  THK  BAPTISTS 

^\t■t'k.^  tlial  tlu'  regular  busiiR'Ss  of  the  institution  was  sus^ 
])L'nd('(l.  Ik'twc'on  thirty  and  forty  of  the  students  were 
brought  to  Christ.  For  four  years  in  sueeession  theso 
sweet  seasons  of  revival  returned  to  Wake  Forest.  Among 
the  fruits  of  these  revivals  were  many  of  the  best  and 
briiihicst  ministers  of  tlie  Gospel. 

ini.   iioopKR  I'UKsrmLNT — deivc  hemoved. 

On  the  resiguatiou  of  Dr.  Wait,  Dr.  William  lloopei' 
became  the  President  of  the  College.  Gradually  the  num- 
ber of  professors  was  increased  and  the  work  of  the  insti- 
tuti(-)n  was  enlarged.  The  only  thing  that  checked  its 
progress  was  the  heavy  debt.  Rut  at  this  crisis  of  the 
College,  its  fi'iends  came  t(j  its  rescue.  Dr.  Wait  and 
Tvov.  -James  S.  Pui'efoy  were  the  greatest  agents  in  remov- 
ing the  debt.  The  Baystists  of  the  State  owe  an  everlasting 
debt  of  gi'atitude  to  the  noble  sacrifices  of  James  S.  Pure- 
foy,  who  did  more  than  any  one  else  to  save  the  (\dlego 
when  it  was  sinking  beneath  the  waves  of  debt. 

.1.    r..    WHITE,    PinOSIDENT. 

Dr.  William  Hooper  resigned  in  IS-fS,  and  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Pev.  J.  B.  White.  Dor  four  years  White  was 
President,  and  the  work  moved  on  smoothly.  It  vras  dur- 
ing iiis  administration  that  the  friends  of  the  College 
began  to  crystallize  their  dreams  of  permanent  endo^vment. 
But  only  the  nucleus  of  the  great  endowment  was  socnred 
at  this  time. 

THE    COLLEGE    UXDEP.    WTXGATE A    NEW    EI^A. 

In  June,  1854,  Pev.  Washington  !Manly  Wingate,  D.D., 
A\as  elected  President.      His  election  marks  the  beginning 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  9 1 

of  ;i  now  era  in  the  history  of  the  College  and  the  denouii- 
iiatioii.  The  (iifhculties  which  had  in  former  years 
threatened  the  existence  of  the  College  were  all  snr- 
njonnted,  and,  hy  Wingate's  wise  and  able  management, 
the  permanency  of  tlie  C'ollege  was  forever  secnred. 

Dr.  Wingate  was  born  in  Darlington,  South  Carolina; 
was  graduated  from  Wake  Forest  C^ollege,  1849  ;  studied 
theology  at  Furman  University,  and  then  became  pastor 
of  churches  in  his  native  State.  In  185:^,  his  Alma  Mater 
called  him  bacJv  to  iSToi'th  Carolina.  He  was  put  in  the 
field  by  the  Trustees  as  agent  for  the  College,  which  posi- 
tion he  successfully  held  until  he  was  called  to  the  Presi- 
dency. For  a  C[uarter  of  a  century  he  presided  over  the 
College,  and  led  it  on  to  higher  achievements.  By  his 
loving  disposition  and  genial  manners,  as  well  as  by  his 
scholarly  dignity,  he  won  tlie  hearts  of  jSTorth  Carolina 
Baptists.  ]\[ore  than  this,  he  drew  to  his  side  and  to  the 
('()]h'g(>  Imndreds  of  nolJe  ami  ambitions  young  men,  who, 
under  liim,  were  fitted  for  tlie  arena  of  life.  lie  was  a 
great  ])reacher,  a  loving  connselloi',  a  winning  s})eaker,  and 
for  twenty-five  years  wa^j  considered  the  foremost  Baptist 
in  the  State.  He  remained  at  his  post  of  duty  as  the  hon- 
ored President  of  the  College  until  Febniary  27,  1879, 
when  he  ceased  from  his  toils  on  earth  and  went  home  to 
his  rich  reward. 

TJII-:   WAK   C'LOTID, 

The  doors  of  the  College  were  opened  during  the  first 
year  of  the  Civil  War,  but  in  May,  1802,  its  exercises  were 
suspended.  The  ])rofessors  were  scattered  ;  some  liad  gone 
to  the  war  and  others  to  ditferent  places  of  labor  ;  the  young 


92  A  HISTORY  OF  THK   BAPTISTS 

iiK'U  WH'iir  liunio,  and  many  j(jiii(j(l  llio  rank.-:  of  J.ce  and 
Jaclcson.  Jn  l^U-t,  tlio  aulhoritics  of  tlio  Confcdoniey 
took  possession  of  the  College  building  and  used  it  as  a 
hosjntal  for  suH'ering  soldiers  till  the  close  of  the  war.  It 
Avas  not  till  ISGG  that  the  College  bell  again  called  stu- 
dents to  recitation-rooms  and  morning  prayers. 

UK.     WIT-LIAM     liOYALL. 

We  ca]i  not  write  the  briefest  history  of  the  College 
Avithont  giving  a  place  to  the  scholarly,  saintly,  sweet-spir-. 
ited  William  IJoyall.  In  ISGO,  just  before  the  Avar  crash, 
he  was  elected  I'mfessor  of  Latin  and  Cei'nnm.  Xot  all 
the  success  of  the  institution  must  1)0  atlriljuled  to  iho 
wise  and  able  \Vingato,  h)V  a  large  part  of  it  belongs  to 
this  logical   and   ]jliiloso])hical  teacher. 

Di'.  lioyall  ])layed  his  valuable  part  in  the  liistory  of 
tile  College  in  ihe  elevation  of  the  standai'd  of  teaching. 
Professor  L.  Tl.  Mills,  who  was  a  stiulent  at  the  College  at 
this  lime,  Inis  ri'cenrly  said:  "'.Vt  that  time  the  nu'thods  of 
instruction  in  oui'  Cidhige  Avere  mechanical  and  unphilo- 
sophieal  in  the  highest  degree.  And  this  Avas  especially 
true  in  the  department  of  Ancient  Languages.  Dr.  Itoy- 
all's  method  of  teaching  was  analytical,  logical  and  philo- 
so])hical,  and  created  great  enthusiasm  in  his  oavu  depart- 
ment. His  stimulating  and  quickening  influence  was  felt 
by  the  entire  College."  It  Avas  tlii?  eleA%ation  of  the  stand- 
ard of  teachino'  that  ])nt  the  College  in  the  f]'ont  rank  of 
the  State's  higher  institutions  of  learning,  and  to  which 
tlie  College  OAves  its  highest  glory.  It  Avas  Dr.  Roy  all 
Avlio.  in  connection  witli  his  son,  W.  B.  lioyall,  I..  R.  Mills 
and  W.  (!.  Simmons,  o])ened  the  College  at  the  close  of  the 


IN  NORTPI  CAROLINA.  93 

war.  It  was  Dv.  lioyall  who  organized  the  course  of  study 
al  W^ake  I'orest  into  the  present  tiexible  system  of  scliools, 
instead  of  an  inJlexible  curriculum.  In  ISbO,  having  been 
absent  from  the  College  ten  years,  he  was  recalled  to  till 
the  chair  of  .Modern  Languages.  A  few  years  later  the 
Trustees  i-reated  the  Chair  of  English,  and  Dr.  lioyall 
was  elected  to  occupy  this  chair.  In  this  position  he  spent 
the  accuniulated  powers  of  his  ripening  years. 

On  January  3,  l<^9o,  his  noble  spirit  suddenly  passed 
away  in  Savannah,  Georgia,  being  in  his  70th  year  of  age. 
Thus  rose  from  the  realm  of  time  to  the  kingdom  of  glory 
one  of  the  sweetest  spirits,  and  thus  closed  one  of  the 
brightest  and  most  jjcautiful  lives  that  our  State  has  eve? 
kno^vn. 

PER.\rAXENT     ENDOWMENT     FUND. 

Tile  endowment  of  the  College  was  taken  up  auew  in 
Ib'iV)  by  the  State  Convention.  Twenty-hve  thousand  dol- 
hii's  wei'e  subscribed  for  endowment,  and  J)r.  John  Alirch- 
ell  collected  the  tirst  payment  on  these  subscri])tions  In 
1S5T.  The  work  was  continued  in  1858,  and  until  the 
outbreak  of  the  Civil  AVar,  when  the  total  funds  of  tlie 
College  amounted  to  $50,167.54.  These  were  invested 
2:>rincipally  in  State  and  Confederate  government  bonds, 
the  most  of  which  were  swept  away  by  the  war.  In  ISGG, 
at  the  close  of  the  war,  the  endowment  amounted  to  only 
$11,700,  but  the  friends  of  the  institution  laid  their 
heads  together  and  planned  for  tlie  prodigious  increase 
of  endowment  since  secured.  By  1S83,  it  had  increased 
to  $50,000.  In  18S;],  J.  A.  Eostwick,  of  Xew  York,  con- 
tributed  $10,000   and   tlio  deuomiuation   added  $40,000, 


94  A   HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

wiiieh  sux'lloJ  the  ciiduwiiienl  fiiiul  to  $100,UU0.  in  IbSG, 
the  "IJostwick  Endowment  Fund"  was  added  to  the  orig- 
inal endowment.  ]\Lr.  Bostwiek  ofFered  to  give  $'J 5,000 
il"  the  Baptists  of  the  State  would  givo  $25,000.  The 
leaders  rallied  among  the  ]-5a])tist  churches  of  the  State, 
the  amount  was  secured,  and  thus  the  "Bostwiek  Endow- 
ment Fund"  was  fotmded.  On  Ma}^  1,  18S7,  the  endow- 
ment of  the  College  had  reached  $153, 000.44,  and  the  total 
productive  fund  of  the  College,  $]72,2Go.04.  Mr.  Bostwiek 
ha-'  1)0011  the  most  liheral  henefactor  of  the  institution,  and 
his  ])i)rlrait  graces  the  wall  of  the  College  Lihrary  Hall. 
In  all,  he  has  given  to  Wake  Forest  College  $70,000.  But 
this  great  gift  is  largely  due  to  the  ceaseless  etforts  of 
President  Taylor,  who,  in  the  interest  of  the  College,  made 
several  trips  to  the  ^ortli  and  deeply  impressed  ]\lr.  Bost- 
A\'ick. 

In  late  years  the  endowment  has  heen  further  increased, 
until  the  College  now  has  $200,000  at  its  command.  The 
labors  of  C  \V.  Blanchard  and  F.  W.  Sikcs,  in  the  last  few 
years,  have  heen  marvellously  successful  in  rriising  an  en- 
dowment fund  for  tlie  ''Boyall  Chair"  of  English.,  the 
Chair  of  the  Bible,  and  the  Gymnasium. 

FUKSIDKXCY    OF     DR.     PRITCIIARD. 

On  the  death  of  l^resideut  Wingate,  1879,  liev.  Thomas 
Kenderson  Pritchard,  D.D.,  was  elected  to  the  Presiden- 
tial chair.  He  ^vas  an  alumnus  of  the  College,  and  dur- 
ing the  tliree  years  of  liis  Presidency  reflected  credit  n])on 
his  Alma  dialer.  But  in  18S2,  he  retired  from  the  Pres- 
idency and  re-entered  the  pastorate,  lie  was  one  of  the 
ablest  preachers  of  the  South. 


;  ^       IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  95 

TUi:    COLLl'IGE    UNDER   PKESlDEXT   TAYLOK,    18S4-1001. 

Under  Dr.  Taylor,  the  College  has  made  its  greatest 
progress.  The  covirse  of  stud\'  has  been  steadily  advanc- 
ing, nntil  there  are  now  thirteen  distinct  schools  of  stndy, 
viz:  J^atin  Langnage  and  Literatnre;  Greek  Language 
iind  Literature;  Engli.-^li  Language  and  Literature;  ]\lod- 
ern  J^aiiguagcs ;  Pure  ^[atheniatics ;  Physics;  Applied 
Mathematics;  (.Mieniistry ;  JS^atural  History;  Moral  Phi- 
losophy; Political  Science;  Law,  and  tlie  Bible.  A  De- 
];:;rtnient  of  Pechtgogy  was  added  in  11)00;  a  line  gymna- 
sium is  nearing  c())ii])letion,  and  a  Depai'tment  of  Me(L 
icine  is  to  be  added  this  year.  The  requirenicnts  for  en- 
trance  at  Wake  Forest  are  about  the  same  as  at  Chai)cl 
Hill. 

LITERARY   SOCIETIES. 

(July  two  literary  societies  are  allowed  at  the  College, 
the  I'hixelian  and  the  l^hiloniatliesian.  They  wei'c  formed 
ir;  February,  ISoo.  L'or  a  nund^er  of  years  tliey  oceu- 
pied  liuiircd  lialls  on  the  fourth  floor  of  the  old  College 
Euilding.  Ihit  in  1S7S  Colonel  Heck  and  -John  G.  Wil- 
li an.is,  Raleigh,  two  of  the  College's  greatest  friends,  pre- 
sented the  College  "with  the  Heck-Williams  Building.  On 
the  second  floor  of  this  building  are  the  commodious  and 
beautifid  literary  halls,  which  have  been  occupied  by  the 
societies  over  since.  The  old  society  lil)rarie.s  were  con- 
solidated with  the  College  library  and  placed  in  "Librar}' 
Llall,"  between  the  two  society  halls.  There  are  now 
nearly  15,000  volumes  in  the  library. 

Tbo  J^uzelian  and  Philomathesian  halls  arc  among  the 
"finest   and   most  handsomelv   furnished   literary   lialls   in 


g6  A  HISTORY  OF  THK  BAPTISTS 

till'  ISoiiih.  l)i'.  Taylor  and  liis  associates  ciicouraL^e  the 
work  ill  tho  litcrarv  lialls.  Ueru  young  men  are  taught 
to  ^\■rite  with  aeeurae}'  and  sjieak  Avilh  power,  and  in  after 
lile  to  \vield  the  pen  and  use  the  rostrum  for  the  progress 
of  trurli  and  tlie-  advaiieeinent  of  the  ivingdoin  of  Heaven. 

WAKI.    J-Oi;j-:.sT    STUDEXT. 

Tliis  is  the  College  maga/ine,  founded  in  1SS2.  It  is 
second  to  no  periodical  of  its  kind  in  the  country.  It  is 
published   by   the  societies   conjointly. 

i:<;.\15  0     0:K      ICDUOA'IMOX. 

This  Board  is  almost  co-extensive  with  the  existence  of 
the  College.  Jts  ol)]ect.  is  to  furnish  aid  to  indigent  young 
ministers  \vhil('  ])nrsuiiig  their  studies  at  the  College. 
The  amount  allowed  each  was  $10.00  per  month  at 
first,  but  about  ten  years  ago  was  cut  down  to  $'J.OO. 
This  amount,  formerly  given  to  the  young  minister,  has 
liC'Mi  a  loan  since  1805,  to  be  repaid  by  t.he  beneficiary 
without  interest.  Dr.  John  ]\litchell  has  been  Secretary 
of  this  Board  for  many  years,  and  has  been  the  best  friend 
that  young  preachers  have  had  in  all  the  State,  Several 
hundred  inlluential  ministc^rs,  aided  by  this  Board,  have 
gone  forth  to  preach  the  gospel  in  N^orth  Carolina,  through- 
out the  country,  and  even  in  lands  beyond  the  seas. 

NEW  UL'inDIXGS. 

The  Wingatc  ]\[cmorial  Hall  was  completed  in  lSy<f^  / 
at  a  cost  of  $12,r)00.     It  contains  on  thejirst  floor  Tbnr/ 
lecture  halls  and  a  small  chapel.      On  the  second  f|/or/is 
the  laru'c  Winuate  ^Memorial  Hall,  named  in  hono;i'  iif  the 


/i 


0 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  97 

Jate  Prfsideiit,  W.  ]\1.  Wingatc.  Its  seating  capacity  is 
ijOOO,  and  its  acoustic  properties  arc  excellent.  In  this 
Hall,  bcautifuriy  decorated,  tbc  societies  hold  their  anni- 
versar}'  celebrations. 

'J'he  Lea  Unilding-  was  the  last,  bnt  not  the  least,  of  the 
jicw  buildings  that  adorn  the  canipns  grounds.  It  was 
finished  in  1H'6~,  at  a  cosi  of  $15,000.  Jt  contains  a  l)io- 
logieal  laboratory,  with  instruments  and  specimens  for  the 
students'  use,  and  ojie  of  the  finest  and  l)est  furnislicd 
cheniical  laboratories  in  tlie  South.  Professor  Poteat  in 
tlie  former,  and  Professor  Brewer  in  the  latter,  have  given 
\^'ahe  Foi'csf  an  extended  fame  foi'  scientific  investiga- 
lion.  This  building  v/as  erected  nuiinly  1)y  funds  con- 
tribuled  by  j\Ir.  A.  S.  Lea,  of  Caswell  County,  in  whoso 
honor  it  is  named.  The  Main  Building  was  re]jaired  dur- 
ing the  sunuuer  of  1900. 

EXLAIv'GK.\fEXT SCHOOL    OF    LAW. 

In  LSO,"),  the  School  of  Law  was  (^stablislic(lj  with  N.  Y. 
(lulley,  A.M.,  as  Professor.  The  (\italogue  of  IS!>4-'l).') 
shows  1-J-  law  students.  In  lSi>7,  TH  law  students,  repre- 
senting four  States,  received  instruction.  Thus  we  sec; 
the  Law  School  has  l)ecomc  more  popular  each  year,  and 
tJie  Law  Course  at  AVake  Forest  is,  by  some,  regarded  as 
equal  to  two  years  in  any  leading  ITniversity  iSTorth.  A 
respectable  library  of  law  books  is  being  gradually  col- 
lected, Judge  Walter  Clark  and  Chief  Justice  Faircloth, 
INL  B.  Broughton  and  others,  having  contributed  285  val- 
uable volumes. 


gS  A  HISTORY  OF  TIIIC  BAPTISTS 

"i:<n'A].i.  ciiAii;"  or  knglisji. 

This  Cluiii'  was  established  In-  the  Trustees  in  honor 
oi  Dr.  W'iiliauL  Jvoyalh  Twenty-iivc  thousand  dollars 
were  desired  I'or  the  fnchjwnieiil  of  this  (diair,  ^\•hieh 
amount  has  hi-en  alluo.■^t  raised,  largcdy  l»y  iudivid- 
\uil  (lonalion^.  The  .\nieriean  P^ajjtist  Puhlieation  So- 
'dety  contributed   $J,G5i'.22. 

c II All;    oj'   THE    BinLK. 

In  IS'J'i,  this  Chair  \vas  ])ernuinently  established,  and 
Iie\'.  \V.  II.  l/ulloni,  a  araduate  of  Touisville  Theological 
vSeininary,  was  clceted  Professor  of  this  new  dejiartiiient. 
This  deparruieiil  has  JX'ceiv'ed  a  warm  welcome  from  the 
students,  and  is  ])0])idar  with  all  the  ]-]a])tists  of  the  State. 
The  denonunariou  is  ti'vin-i'  tt)  raise  $25,000  for  the  per- 
manent emhjwment  of  this  Chair.  The  Bible  C^'ourse  cov- 
ei's  two  years — the  Junioi-  and  the  Senieir — the  former  bc- 
ing'  reciuiin^l  foi-  the  A.  11  degree,  but  the  hitler  is  among  the 
elect i\H;   studies. 

IXI'LIJEXCE    OF    THE    COLLEGE. 

Wake  d^^orcst  College  has  had  a  glorious  record.  Since 
its  foundation,  al)out  three  thousand  students  have  drank 
from  the  fountain  of  Avisdom  at  this  institution,  and  fitted 
themselves  for  various  spheres  of  usefulness  in  life.  Four- 
teen of  her  alumni  have  become  college  presidents  in  va- 
rious States,  05  have  filled  professors'  chairs,  142  have 
become  principals  of  academies.  Some  have  served  their 
counti'v  in  State  and  JSTational  legislative  halls,  some  have 
oecui)ied  the  liighest  judi(dal  ])enclies  in  the  State,  while 
hundreds  of  others  have  been  g'ood  and  progressive  farm- 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  99 

ers,  teachers,  pliysicians,  merchants,  manufactnrers.  Sher- 
iffs, Clerks  of  Courts,  Registers  of  Deeds,  and  Superin- 
tendents of  Public  Instruction,  both  in  State  and  county. 
Wake  Eorest  is  second  to  no  educational  institution-  in 
Xorth  Carolina.  Its  faculty  has  for  years  represented 
the  University  of  Virginia,  Jolms  Hopkins,  Chicago  Uni- 
versity, and  tJie  leading  universites  of  Germany.  Conse- 
quently, the  influence  of  the  institution  has  known  no 
bounds,  either  State  or  bTational.  Its  power  has  reached 
not  only  the  utmost  limits  of  North  Carolina,  but  its 
graduates  have  extended  its  in'lluenee  from  tlie  Atlantic 
to,  I  lie  Uacilic,  from  the  ''Lone  Star  State"  and  the  ''Land 
oi  l^'lowers"  to  the  ''I^hii])ire  State."  Yea,  its  iniliiencc 
lias  crossed  the  Pacific  and  the  Atlantic,  readied  the  "Dark 
Continent"  on  the  east,  the  ''Celestial  Empire"  on  the 
west,  encircling  the  globe  with  the  golden  girdle  of  its 
]X)wer. 


lOO  A  IIISTUKV  OF  TIIIC  liAPTlSTS 


CliiVrTER  XV. 

A^OlfTU     CAKOLINA    liAl'TlSTS    ANi)    FORKlOy.     MISSIONS. 

For  a  long'  lime  tliu  .Buptists  of  the  State  had  no  idea 
of  tliL'  gi'oat  coinmission  as  hiuding-  mi  tht'iii.  Thi'V  did 
DOt  tliink  ui  siiK-liiifi  the  gospel  to  China,  India,  iJunnaii, 
Africa,  ami  the  isles  of  tiie  sea.  There  were  other  prob- 
lems for  them  to  solve.  The  main  thought,  with  tliem 
\\'as  the  securing  of  a  permanent  home  for  themselves  and 
their  Ixdiefs,  foi'  the  lirst  I>a])tists  of  North  (.'arolina  weixs 
refugees,  not  directly  from  England,  hnt  from  New  Kng- 
land.  Thev  had  to  esrahlish  their  honies  and  change  the 
wilderness  into  a  }K'acefnl,  ])rosperous  State  hiefore  they 
conhl  cross  the  seas  and  k'nd  a  helping  hand  to  tJie  nations. 
^Moreover,  the  Ba]nists  were  i\ot  numerous  in  those  days, 
anil  could  not  he  I'xpeeted  to  do  much  for  foi-eign  mis- 
sions. TheiH'  were  only  three  Associations  in  the  Stale 
when  (\iniwallis  surrendered,  and  only  four  when  W^ish- 
ingloii  took  his  seal  as  the  lirst  President  of  the  rnited 
States.  In  ITUU  there  were  only  !)4-  churches  and  7,503 
Jhiptists  in  all  North  Carolina. 
^  But  the  early  Baptists  were  not  anti-mission  Baptists. 
Paul  I-*almer  was  not  satisfied  to  fold  his  arms  over  one 
little  church.  lie  [iressed  his  way  sontliward  and 
])reached  the  gospel  down  lo  and  even  within  the  herders 
of  South  (''arolina.  Daniel  Marshal  and  Shubael  Stearns 
did  not  remain  at  Abbot's  Creek  and  Sandy  Creek,  hut 
]")enetrated  into  South  Carolina,  Georgia  and  Virginia. 
William  Sojouriier  sjn-ead  out  in  all  the  Ilalifa^c  section, 
and  sowed  the  seed  that  has  given  us  to-day  some  of  our 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  lOI 

strongest  inissioiuiry  ehiu'ches.  IJeni'j  Done  of  (.Miowan, 
Vv'inriekl  of  Pitt,  William  Cole  of  Jlercford,  lleni-y  Abbot 
iind  W'illiani  Eurgess  of  Camden,  Silas  Mercer  and  Jesse 
Head  of  Halifax,  Robert  Nixon  of  Onslow,  Ezekiel  oi 
]|andol])li,  Abi-ani  Baker,  Xatlianiel  Powell  and  James 
Turner  of  Prnnswiek,  Lemuel  Ijurkiit  and  Jeremiah  Dai'- 
gan  (tf  Pertie,  besides  a  host  of  others— tliesc  all  traveled 
over  the  Colony,  ijreaching  wherever  they  conld  call  tlie 
people  together. 

j^"  Not  till  the  dawn  of  the  nineteentli  century  did  they 
di'eam,  however,  that  it  was  their  duty  to  give  the  Gospel  to  -t 
the  perishing  nations  beyond  the  sea.  '  liut  this  does  not  ' 
])nt  them  much  behind  the  rest  of  the  Baptist  world.  It  . 
was  not  till  th6'  closing  years  of  tlie  eighteenth  century 
that  the  English  Baptists  had  their  attention  called  to  for- 
eign missions  through  God's  call  to  William  Carey.  While 
nniking  and  mending  shoes  at  the  cobbler's  bench,  lie  had 
studied  the  ma])  of  the  world,  and  was  impresseti  with  the 
dark  spots  re])reseiiting  the  heathen.  11  is  heart  was 
melted,  and  he  decided  to  go  1i)  tlie  Past  lo  help  change 
the  ma])  of  tlu.^  woidd.  In  1702,  he  said  to  Andrew 
Pullei"  and  other  English  preachers,  "If  you  will  hold  the 
ro]3e,  I  will  go  down  into  the  well."  At  the  sa-me  time  a 
missionary  society  was  organized  by  the  English  Baj)- 
tists,  and'  this  was  their  Ix^ginning  in  foreign  missions. 

The  story  of  the  rise  of  missions  by  American  Baptists 
I'oads  almost  like  a  romance.  Adoniram  Judsun,  his  wife 
find  Luther  Hice,  under  the  auspices  of  a  Pedobajitist  mis- 
sionary society,  set  sail  for  India  in  1S1'2.  All  three  were  i 
destined  for  Calcutta,  where  they  wouhl  meet  some  English 
Ba]')vists,     While  crossing  the  ocean  these  Congregational 


I02  A   HISTORY  OK  TlIK   IJAPTISTS 

}iiissioiiarit'.s  lji.'i:,;iii  Uie  ;aLiuly  ui'  Uie  ScripLiircs  iiiicw  to  bo 
able  to  defend  their  doctrines  against  tlie  Baptist  mission- 
aries at  Calcutta.  This  im'estigation  ^vas  made  by  them 
scj^arately,  and,  though  sailing  on  two  diitercnt  ships,  they 
ea]ue  to  the  conclusion  that  they  themselves  had  never 
been  l)aptized.  The  Judsons  arrivt^d  first,  and  were  bap- 
tized by  Jiev.  William  Ward,  Septendjcr,  ISli'.  Later, 
j\lr.  liice  arri^'ed  and  was  also  l)a])tized.  But  wdiat  sliould 
these  three  Baptist  jiiissionaries  now  do  in  far-away  Cal- 
cutta ^  'i'bey  had  severed  their  connection  with  the  Board 
sending  them  fui'tli,  and  Inul  no  means  of  support.  They 
resolved  at  once  that  Luther  Bice  should  return  to  Amer- 
ica, tell  to  the  Baptists  of  the  United  States  the  story  of 
their  C(m\'er.sion  to  the  Baptist  faith,  and  how  God  wafj 
calling  the  lJa])tists,  through  the  voice  of  Mr.  and  ]\rrs. 
Jmlson,  to  send  the  Gos])el  to  India  and  the  world,  jlfr. 
Bice  reached  Hoston  in  vSeiJtember,  BSBl.  When  he  told 
Ills  st<:)ry,  tlie  Ihiplists  of  Boston  and  vicinity  at  once  as- 
snnic(l  the  support  of  Air.  and  ALrs.  .ludson.  Also,  the 
''Triennial  ( 'Onvention''  was  organized  in  Philadelphia, 
1614,  and  ]\Ii'.  Bice  was  advised  to  visit  the  churches 
east,  north  and  south,  to  lay  upon  their  hearts  the  mis- 
sion in  India,  and  to  sound  the  trumpet  of  God's  call  to 
foreign  missions. 

In  1S16,  My.  Bice  visited  the  Sandy  Creek  Association, 
and  was  inviti>d  to  a  seat  as  a  representative  of  the  "Board  y 
of  Foreign  IMissions."  Fie  took  an  active  part  in  the 
business  of  the  Association,  preached  on  Sunday  and 
kindled  the  fire  of  foreign  missions  in  the  hosom  of  Sandy 
Creek's  rojU'csentative  men.  ~Mv.  Bice  also  helped  to  Iniild 
Columhian  College,  at  Washington,  D.  (1,  and  so  tlu'ough 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  IO3 

the  College  and  his  travels  inspired  the  American  Bap- 
tists with  the  spirit  of  missions. 

\\  But,  about  a  decade  before  this,  the  spirit  of  foreign 
missions  had  begun  to  liro  the  hearts  of  Xorth  Carolina  ^ 
Jjaptists.  Soon  after  the  death-knell  of  the  eighteenth 
century,  with  its  struggles  and  persecutions,  the  Baptists 
of  XortJi  (Carolina  woke  up  to  their  duty  to  give  the  Gos- 
])el  to  the  heathen.  In  1S0I3  ]\Iartin  Koss  presented  this 
query  to  the  Kehukee  Association,  "Is  not  the  Xehnkee 
Association,  with  all  her  numerous  and  respectable  friends,  , 
called  on  in  Brovideiice,  in  some  way,  to  stc})  forward 
in  support  of  that  missionary  spirit  which  the  great  God 
is  so  ^\'ondcrfldly  reviving  among  the  different  (.k'nomi- 
nations  of  good  men  in  various  parts  of  the  world  ?"  Thus 
we  see  that  ten  years  before  Luther  l^iec  reached  Boston  >- 
and  put  in  motion  the  waves  of  missions  from  the  Xorth, 
Martin  Ross,  the  "Patrick  Henry"  of  tlie  Cliowan  section, 
was  stirring  tlie  waters  of  foreign  missions  in  Norlli  (  ^aro- 
liiia.  In  1S04  llio  Keliukee  Associntiou,  at  .McIuti-Iu, 
voted  that  it  was  its  "duty  to  engage  in  the  woi-k  of  send- 
ing the  Gospel  to  the  heathen."  In  1S05,  Ahu'tin  Koss, 
tlie  great  apostle  of  missions,  exclaimed  in  an  address, 
"Why  should  it  l)e  tliouulit  incredible  that  God  should 
raise  up  among  us  one  of  our  ov/n  number,  a  man  like 
unto  ourselves,  to  carry  the  light  of  the  glorious  Gos])el 
to  nations  tliat  now  sit  in  darkness  and  the  sluidow  of 
death?"  About  this  time  "The  General  ^Meeting  of  Cor- 
respondence of  JSTorth  C^arolina  Ba]itists"  -was  organi/ed.-(— 
So  ilie  foreign  missiomtry  s|)ii"it  \vas  swellinii'  Ihc  liearts 
oi  jSTortli  Carolina  Baptists  some  time  ])efore  tlie  movement 
1)V  Judson   and    Rico. 


I04  A   inSTORV  OK  Tllii  BAPTISTS 

^  JjiU  it  Wild  ]iul  till  early  in  Ib'Ji'J  that  the  i^aptlsts  of  the 
Statu  urganizc'il  "Tlio  Xui'lli  Carolina  IJaptist;  .BciicvoIlmil 
Society/'  wliicli,  as  we  lia\'e  seen,  beeame  the  Ijaptist 
State  Couveution,  iSoO.  This  was  the  hrst  eil'ort  at 
or<iaiii/.atIoii  by  ^,'ortll  Carolina  Jiaptists  to  give  the  Gos- 
pel to  the  world. 
\  It  was  not,  li(jwever,  till  184G  that  the  Ba^jtists  of  the 
State  really  laid  their  hearts  upon  the  altar  of  foreign 
missions.  In  October  of  this  year  one  of  the  State's  own 
sons  was  ordained,  that  he  might  spend  his  life  in  China. 
Years  before,  in  a  log  honso  on  the  edge  of  Chatham 
County,  a  little  bare1'o<jt  \)ny  had  learned  to  trust  in 
Clirist.  His  young  heart  beat  in  love  f(jr  the  dying  mil- 
lions of  lust  heathen,  lie  entered  Wake  Forest  College 
and  titted  himself  foi'  the  worlc  abroad,  and  when  the  Con- 
vention met  in  lialeigh,  October,  184(5,  he  was  solemnly 
set  a|nirt  to  the  glorious  work  of  missions.  This  was 
none  other  than  Matthew  Tyson  Yati'S.  The  p]'o])liecy 
was  now  fidtllled,  tliou^h  forty  years  had  ]nissed  away 
since  .Martin  Ross  rirst  asked  the'  cim'Sti(m  at  Cashie. 

Tlie  Raleigh  Association,  of  which  Yaies  was  a  n.iember, 
pledged  itstdf  to  pay  his  salary,  and  afterward  the  Cen- 
tral Association  took  a  share  in  tho  support  of  this  the 
Baptists'  first  missionary  hero  from  Xortli  Carolina. 

Yatc^s  and  liis  wife  arrived  in  Cliiuta  September,  1S4T. 
and  settled  in  the  jxipulous  city  of  Shanghai.  For  forty 
years  this  l)rave  son  of  (^arolina  told  the  story  of  the  cross 
to  the  Chinese  and  lifted  aloft  the  blood-stained  banner 
of  Christ  amid  the  darkness  of  the  Celestial  Empire.  He 
was  (')ur  jirincelv  ])ioneer,  our  ha])]^^^  hero  and  consecrated 
veteran  on  the  dark  shores  of  lieathendom.      IHs  ashes  are 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  IO5 

now  sleeping  in  Shanghai,  and  are  calling  to  the  hosts  of 
North  C^aroJina  Biiptists  to  send  the  light  ot  the  Gospel  to 
the  henighted  sonls  of  (Jhina. 

Since  18-1-G  the  impulse  to  foreign  missions  has  heeri 
dee})iy  intensified  in  Xorth  Carolina.  When  one  of  our 
own  numher  laid  aside  his  pi'ospects  at  homo  to  lay  down 
his  life  in  that  dark  corner  of  the  heathen  world,  onr  eyes 
wcvo  melted  to  tears,  onr  hearts  were  moved  to  pity,  onr 
sonls  were  stirred  to  sympathy,  and  our  hands  were  opened 
to  send  the  Gospel  to  proud  but  sin-cursed  China.  But 
even  before  the  l)eloved  Yates  was  laiil  to  sleeji  in  Shang- 
liai,  otluM's  of  Candina's  sons  and  daughters  went  out  to 
far-olF  lu^atluMi  lands  to  give  their  lives  for  the  siiving  of 
the  lost.  Wo  liad  our  Newton  in  Africa,  and,  hiter, 
Greene  in  South  Cliimi,  and  Mrs  Duggan  in  j\Iexico,  so 
tliat  our  h(>arts  went  out  not  only  to  (^hina,  but  also  to 
the  jungles  of  "darkest  Africa,"  to  the  ])lains  and  high- 
huuls  of  priest-ridden  ^lexico.  Yea,  North  Carolina  Txi])- 
tists  contributed  of  their  means  to  su])])ort  otliei'  mission- 
ai'ies  in  -Japan,  iJrazil,  and  in  the  isles  of  the  sea.  In  1!)00  ^ 
the  State  Convention  rc])orted  for  foreign  missions  over 
$10,000,  instead  of  $120  reported  at  Eogers'  Cross-Eoads, 
1S31. 

Still,  not  in  money  but  in  men  is  North  Cai'olina's 
greatest  contribution  to  the  world's  salvation.  Since  Dr. 
Yates  first  laid  his  life  u])on  the  altar  of  Cliina,  nearly 
forty  men  and  women,  born  and  reared  in  the  Old  Nortlr" 
State,  have  crossed  the  briny  dce]^  to  lay  their  lives  at 
Jesus'  feet  in  some  distant  heathen  land.  How  deep  must 
liave  grown  the  foreign  mission  spirit  in  the  church  life  of 
tlie  Baptists  of  the  State  that  so  many  sliould  break  the 


I06  A  HISTORY  OF  THK  BAPTISTS 

fliaiiis  of  jiUV'ctioii  and  as-i-iciariuii  at  luMiie  to  li\'t'  and  die 
aliroad  !  Lonu'  may  the  wa\'e  of  foreign  missions  roll  out 
from  tlie  slioros  of  the  Old  Xoi'tli  State,  and  on  may  it 
flow  till  millions  of  lost  and  dying  sonls  in  hcatliendoni 
are  borne  on  the  tides  of  redeeming  graec  to  heaven's 
peaecd'nl  shores. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

STATK    MISSKjNS    I\    XOUTIL    CAROLINA. 

ft  is  hard  to  iraci'  ilie  sti'cam  of  State  missions  to  its 
souree.  From  the  days  of  Palmer,  Parker  and  Sojourner 
the  Baptists  were  in  the  field  to  give  the  pure  Gospel  to  the 
State.  For  one  hundred  years  there  was  no  organization 
Tfor  united  cdfoi't.  The  system  of  "'Itinerant  Preaching" 
was  adoi)ted  by  the  early  ehurelies.  The  Associations 
appointed  ])astors  to  go  out  into  the  destitute  fields  and 
]n'(>aeli  in  the  foi'esls  ur  nnder  brush  arbors.  In  this  way 
on  nutrched  the  ^vork  of  State  missions  nntil,  in  1S29,  there 
were  about  2  70  chnrches,  15,000  members  and  14  Associa- 
.     tions  in   Xorth  Carolina. 

In  the  preandjle  to  the  Constitution  of  the  Benevolent 
Society,  1820,  we  see  the  spirit  of  State  missions:  ''Being 
concerned  for  the  condition  of  the  mnltitndes  "within  the 
borders  of  our  State,  who  are  unhappily  destitute  of  the 
preaching  of  the  AVord  of  God,  *  ^^  ^'  we,  the  subscri- 
bers, in  the  name  of  the  Great  Head  of  the  Chnrch,  *  ''^  * 
do  agree  to  form  ourselves  into  a  society  to  be  called  the 
.  jSTorth  Carolina  Benevolent  Society."  All  honor  to  Wait, 
Armstrong,   !Mason,   Poundtree,    Crndup,    Crocker,    AEan- 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  IO7 

niiig,  Battle,  Ilaniioii,  Itoskiiis,  Merritt,  I)o\vd  and  tlie  rest 
Avlio  thus  organized  for  the  work  of  State  missions. 
*«■  Wiien  the  Benevolent  Soeiety  became  the  State  Conven-    / 
tion,  the  work  of  saving  the  State  began  in  real  earnest. 
At  its  first  session  the  Convention  pnt  four  missionaries 
into  the  iield.      Their  report  at  the  serond  session  was  such 
a  thrilling  story  of  success  tliat  tweuiy  missionaries  were 
put  into  the  field  to  preach  the  Gospel  from  the  seashore 
to  the  Blue  liidge.      The  voices  of  these  twenty  sounded 
over  tlie  plains  of  the  east,  among  the  little  hills  of  the  ^ 
Piedmont,  and  even  to  the  tops  of  the  Blue  ]{idge.        ^ 

Eighteen  hundred  and  thirty-foui'  was  a  most  prosperous    ; 
year   iii    State   missions.      John    Culpeper,    in   his   seven-    '; 
tieth  year,   in  his  sulky,   visited  churches  in  Bichmond,     \ 
Bobeso]!,  Brunswick,   Xew  Hanover,   (.'olmubus,   Onslow, 
]x']ioir,    Greene,     Edgecombe,     Xasli,     Johnston,    Wayne, 
Sampson,     JMccklenburg,     Cabarrus,     Itowan,     Davidson, 
J\ioore,  Bladen,  Chatham,  Wake,  Granville,  Person,  Cas- 
^\■ell,     Rockingham,    Stokes,    Ashe,    Wilkes,    Iredell    and 
Anson  counties,  traveling  350   days,   preaching  233   ser- 
mons, and  attending  four  protracted  meetings.      iSTineteen 
Associations  that  year  co-operated  with  the  Convention. 

During  this  year  James  Thomas  traveled  4,000  miles, 
visited  most  of  the  towns  and  villages  in  41:  counties,  and 
preached  400  sermons.  He  organized  four  churches, 
among  them  one  at  Lumber  ton,  which  soon  grew  from  25 
to  ^{}  members.  Ho  also  baptized  G4  persons  and  distrib- 
uted 1.20,000  pages  of  tracts. 

Humphrey  Posey,  beyond  the  Blue  Kidge,  about  this 
time,  preached  and  labored  without  pay  as  the  State  Mis- 
sion Agent  for  the  Convention.      The  ]")eo|)le  gave  him  a 


loS  A  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

hearty  wl'Icour',  and  he  sowed  seed  to  he  harvested  in  the 
organization  (jf  western  Assoeiations.  Other  heroes  of 
early  State  missions  are  Uohert  T.  J)aniel,  William  Dowd, 
John  Rohertson,  Rohei't  AleXahh,  Klias  Dodson,  Xoah 
Richardson,  T.  I).  Armsfrcjni!,',  William  Richards,  Richard 
dacks,  Wade  Hill,  Lewis  Dnpree,  R.  B.  Jones  and  Alal- 
rlins   l^'reeman. 

C)ne  of  the  earliest  sinus  of  pro^'ross  in  State  missions 
was  the  work  of  Associational  missions.  Union  Associa- 
tion in  one  year  em])loyGd  17  missionaries,  and  cx])cnded 
$1^,000  for  ])lantinu'  chnrches  in  her  horders.  Cape  Fear 
did  a  similar  work,  only  aeeom])lishe(l  greater  I'esnlts, 
The  (diowan,  stretchini;'  from  the  Roanoke  to  the  At- 
lantic, in  1830  to  1850,  incrt'ased  fi'om  30  to  4.")  chnrches, 
from  3,100  to  7,!)()0  memhers.  In  the  Eenlah  a  like  work 
was  done,  with  simihir  results. 

,  Anotlier  wise  step  taken  hy  State  missions  was  tlui 
]dantinii,'  of  Ra])tist  chnrches  in  _<;rowini2,-  towns,  where 
now  chnrcli  sti'e]il(\s  tower  towai'd  tlie  sky.  Seah()ard, 
]\lari',aretts\'ilh',  Wcddon,  Macon,  Liuleton,  Plymouth, 
Henderson,  Washington,  Janiesville,  Williamston,  Bethel, 
Greenville,  Tlohgood,  Scotland  I^eck,  T:ir])oro,  Halifax, 
Enfield,  Eoeky  ^Tonnt,  iYashvillc,  Toisnot,  Wilson,  Tre- 
niont,  Beaufort,  Morehcad  City,  ISTewport,  Kinston,  La 
Granu'c,  (Joldshoro,  Jacksonville,  Wihninuton,  Teachey's, 
AlaL'Uolia,  Mt.  ()li\'e,  l^i'inceton,  Pivn^  Level,  Kenly, 
Dnnn,  L^onr  Oaks,  Benson,  Smithtield,  AVilson's  ]\fills, 
Lnnd)erton,  Ahna,  ^faxton,  Lanrinhni'g,  ITandet,  Wades- 
1,'oro,  ALniroe,  Charlotte,  (Jastonia,  Kings  Mountain,  Aft. 
riolly,  Lincoln  ton,  j\[aiden.  Old  Port,  Mai'iou,  Bridge- 
watt'i'.  Glen  Alpiiu',  Morgaiiton,  Hickory,  Lenoir,  Mewton, 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  IO9 

Catawba,  Slatesvillo,  ]\I.ouresville,  Ilinitei'villc,  (.''le^'e- 
land,  Salisbury,  (.-hina  Grove,  Concord,  J.exingtou, 
TliODiasvillo,  High  Point,  llandlenian,  Greensboro,  liuf- 
fin,  lieidsville,  ALt.  Airy,  Pilot  ]\Ioinitain,  Gcrinanton, 
Walnut  Cove,  Wilkesboro,  Winston,  Kernersville,  (\'dar 
Palls,  Franklinviile,  Lilierty,  Siler,  Ore  Hill,  Manly, 
('anieron,  Cai'thage,  Pittsboro,  liurliniitoii,  Gi'abaiii,  Ilills- 
boro,  Pnrbani  and  Raleigb,  leading  towns  of  tlie  State, 
b.ave  l.)een  aided  by  the  State  j\Iission  Board.  These  one 
hundred  churches  contribute  onc^lialf  as  much  as  the  whole 
State  Convention  to  foreign  missions. 

in  other  towns,  villages  and  hamlets  the  hand  of  State 
missions  has  erected  church  buildings.  Yea,  even  in  the 
country  places,  in  many  lov(>ly  groves  beside  the  road,  or 
u\\  scjine  slo])ing  hill,  there  stand  most  beautiful  church 
])uildings  erected  by  State  missions.  In  PS08  Secretary 
^Vbite  re])Oi-tcM]  that  over  500  Baptist  churches  (;f  (be  State 
luul   lu'cu  built  by   State  missions. 

Tlu're  was  some  friction  among  tbe  ihi|^tists,  b<nve\'er, 
about  Stale  missio]is.  Pbe  Hardshell  Ibiplisis  siigma- 
tized  the  Boards  as  "human  inst.ituti(jns.'''  Some  among 
t]i(^  ?\nssionai'y  ]>a])tists  caught  up  the  watchword  of  these 
ol)solete  chnrcbes  and  howded  down  the  Boards.  Ihit  in 
IS-irG,  the  Convention,  in  ]-ialeigh,  })ut  a  quietus  upon  the 
rising  opposition.  Tbe  overwhelming  s])irit  of  missions 
])ermeating  this  grand  meeting  at  oui-  ea])ital  city  united 
tbe  brethren  more  closely  and  gave  new  impetus  to  the 
Board. 

Idiere  has  always  l)cen  a  Board  for  the  super^dsion  of 
the  mission  work.  The  Benevolent  Society  called  it  a 
"Board  of  Direc'tors" ;  the  State  Com-ention  called  its 
one  Board   at  first  the  "Board  of  Aranau'crs."     In   1840 


no  A  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

tlio  uiit'  Iloanl  \\'as  abulisliod  and  ilu'ce  Uoards  osialjlishcd. 
This  rcscduiiuii  sihmii.s  nut  to  lia\'e  been  carried  out  for  IS 
\  ears.  JJetween  1SG2  and  1S(»G  the  three  Uoards  took 
charge  of  their  separate  departments.  In  1SS7  the  three 
were  consolidated  into  one,  located  in  llaleigh,  called 
"The  Ijuai'd  of  ]\Iissions  and  Sunday  Schools." 

Tlic  Hoard  of  Alissions  was  almost  ]n'uslrate  during  the 
A\ar,  and  for  ii\'e  years  after  there  was  scarcely  a  step 
taken  in  advance.  So,  in  fact,  modern  State  mission  work 
began  in  ISTO.  A\  this  time  iJr.  J.  D.  llufham  becamo 
the  ellicient  Sc-eretary,  and  a  great  re\'ival  of  State  mis- 
sions swept  over  the  State,  lie  was  followed  in  lb7-l  hy 
Rev.  J.  15.  Kichardson.  From  1S70  to  ISsO  the  white 
mendx'rship  of  the  chniomimUion  was  almost  doul)led,  hav- 
ing increased  fi'om  10,000  to  75,000.  In  the  same  time 
six  xVssociations  were  organized  as  the  result  of  State  mis- 
sions. 

Still  more  phenomenal  was  tlie  gi'owth  of  State  mis- 
sions from  ISSO  to  ISOO.  In  1SS()  there  were  only  -I?) 
missionaries;  in  IS'JO  thci'e  were  10b.  dohn  K.  Kay  and 
(,'()hunl)us  Duiliam  were  Secretarit's,  and  ihuliig  these  ten 
years  the  increase  in  nitmhers  was  greater  than  ever  be- 
fore, there  being  only  75,000  Avhite  Baptists  in. the  State 
in  ISSO,  but  150,000  in  1890.  During  these  years  (ISSO- 
1890)  there  were  organized  15  Associations,  which,  in 
1S90,  numbered  305  churches  and  33,209  members.  In 
1890  there  were  over  1,100  white  Baptist  churches  in  all 
the  State.  ISTot  only  in  numbers,  but  also  in  financial 
sti'eugth  and  benevolence  grew  the  Baptists  of  the  State 
at  this  time.  In  1890,  over  $50,000  were  contributed  by 
them  to  all  benevolent  objects,  while  less  than  $800  were 
given  in  1831. 


IN  NORTH  CAROIJNA.  I  I  I 

Fi'uui  IS'JO  to  the  present  tiiae  tlie  Jjajjtists  of  Xordi 
Carol iim  have  advanced  at  a  still  more  incredible  rate. 
The  lahors  of  Columbus  Durham^,  from  1SS7  till  1^95, 
were  crowned  with  abundant  success.  He  was  succeeded 
by  Jolm  E.  Wliite,  under  wliose  progressive  leadership 
the  cause  of  State  missions  readied  out  to  a'rander  achieve- 
ujents  stiJl.  ''.Xortli  Carolina  for  (Jlhrist,''  was  the  in- 
spiring motto  of  the  yonng  leader.  Tliere  are  now  in 
jSlorth  Carolina  over  1,500  white  Baptist  cliurclies  and 
nearly  1,200  colored  Baptist  chui'ches,  with  a  member- 
sliip  in  botli  stretching  toward  350,000.  l^ivingston  Jolm- 
son  succeeded  White  as  Seci'otary  in  December,  1900. 

The  Voluntary  -AJission  Corps,  begun  about  five  years 
ago,  has  done  a  great  work  for  State  missions.  In  the 
last  two  years  a  great  work  has  been  begiin  in  the  factories 
of  the  State.  There  are  200  cotton  mills  in  North  Caro- 
lina, with  25,000  laborers  connected  with  them.  The 
State  Board  has  14  missionaries  at  work  in  these  factories. 


112 


A   HISTORY  OF  TIIK  BAPTISTS 


CILAI^TlvU  XVll. 


ASSOCIA'J'KjNS     (JKOAXIZKU. 

Wlu'ii  l\\e  Convent  ion  was  forniCHJ,  tlicrc  wlto  only  1-t 
.\ssociarioiis  in  llu'  Slate.  We  have  eonsideroJ  the  Sanely 
Ci'oek  and  Kelini-:ee.  Tlie  t'oi'inei'  eox'ered  nineli  more 
Terriioiy  then  than  now.  'i'lie  Ivehukee  was  the  molhei'  of 
llic  KasVern  Jja])tists,  also  of  tiie  Povtsnionth,  A^ensc  and 
("howan  Assoeiations.  jjiit  in  1S27,  at  lier  ljirth-[)lace, 
-Halifax  ("ounty,  she?  voted  to  "disearel  all  missionary  s(j(de- 
ties,  IJihle  soeieties,  tlu-edouieal  seminaries,"  ete.  Jlence- 
f<)rtli  she  is  no  Ioniser  ranked  anajng  tlie  Alissionary  Bap- 
tists, 'i'he  ^'adkin  Assoeiation  was  also  eonsideix'd  in  a 
former  ehapter.  it  was  not  strictly  '■niissioiuiry"  at  tlrst, 
that  is,  it  was  against  "soeicnics"  and  "hoards."  But 
thei'e  were  no  Ilardsliells  in  this  Assoeiaticni  till  ISTO. 
'Idle  mission  prohlem  has  heen  ipiietly  solved,  and  the  old 
"^'adkin    has    now    ;!')    elnirehes,    with    a    mend)ei'shi|)    of 

KLA'i'     Kn'KK'     ASSOCIATION. 

This  is  the  fourth  eldest  in  tlie  State,  luiving  heen  or- 
ganized in  17t)2  by  ehnrclies  dismissed  from  the  Roanoke 
.Association,  Vii'giiiia.  It  was  lonii'  a  stron<2,'liold  for  the 
Sejnirate  Baptists.  Its  oldest  tdinrcli  is  Grassy  Greek, 
constituted  in  1705,  the  resnlt  of  the  labors  of  -Tames 
Read  and  Daniel  "Alarslial  -lames  Tiead  was  its  first 
jnistor.  The  I^dat  Uiver  hecame  intensely  missionary  after 
JS2i),  in  wlncli  year  a  missionary  society  was  ori;anized 
al  Grassy  (^reek.  ddie  leading'  clmrdi  to-day  is  tlia"t  at 
Oxford,  sheplfei'ded  by  ,1,  'S.  llardaway.      O.xford   Female 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  II3 

Seminary  is  in  die  bounds  of  this  Association,  and  has 
shed  its  blessed  light  through  all  this  section  by  the  cul- 
tured Christian  women  trained  within  its  walls,  in  late 
years  J.  A.  Stradley  has  been  among  tJie  foremost  workers 
of  the  Fiat  lvi\'er,  now  containing  34  churches  and  a 
Jiiend)ers]ii])   of   -I-jJjI'J.      It   gave   to    all   objects   in    lt)UO, 

THE    OLD    XEUSE   ASSOCIATION. 

This  was  organized  in  1703  by  23  churches  from  the 
Ivehukee,  and  was  the  first  body  that  went  out  from  that 
old  Association.  From  the  start  this  Association  was 
mhssv-nary  tei'ritory.  llev.  ,[ohn  Thonuis  and  his  two 
sons^  loiuithan  ixud  John,  were  anioiio'  the  most,  useful 
]\i\f  -rs  in  its  earh'  history.  In  later  years  the  labors  of 
J)a\-^  and  Dupree  will  be  long  remembered.  In  1830 
the  A\nise  was  divided  on  the  question  of  missions,  a  few 
of  its  cliurclies  withdrawing  to  form  an  anti-mission  Asso- 
ciatiou.  Aftc]'  the  division,  the  missionary  spirit  grew  in 
tlie  Neuse;  but  tliis  Association  did  not  continue  Jong  in 
Uiimc,  its  chui'clies  going  out  to  form  other  Associati(jns. 

TUE    NEW    NEUSE. 

In  October,  1809,  a  new  Association  was  organized  by 
churches  from  the  Atlantic,  and  this  new  body  was  called 
the  Neuse.  It  was  welcomed  into  the  Convention  at  Ashe- 
ville,   December,  1890. 

IJALEIU  n    ASSOCTATTOX. 

This  is  one  of  the  origimil  14  Associations,  having  been 
organized  in  '1805.  When  the  Convention  arose,  it  was 
formed    liy  men   l)el(mging,   in  the  main,   lo   the  Chowan, 


114  ^  HISTORY  OK  THE  BAPTISTS 

Tar  liiver,  Suiidy  (Jreok  and  Italeigli  Associations.  The 
lialeig-li,  occui^ying  a  central  position,  was  tlic  most  inllu- 
ential.  Among  the  ilinstrions  names  are  the  Slcinners, 
Armstrong,  ]\Iercditli,  Hooper,  James,  and  the  Purefoys, 
ill  the  early  days.  Dr.  i^ates  is  also  one  of  the  illustrious 
names  of  the  fialeigh.  In  1S4G  he  went  out  from  this 
Association  as  a  missionary  to  China.  The  spirit  of 
missions  has  evm*  dominated  this  noble  body  of  Baptists, 
In  later  years  the  Broughtons  have  been  iniiuential.  N,  B. 
B  rough  ton  is  one  of  the  greatest  spirits  of  this  Associa- 
tion. We  can  not  linger  to  relate  the  histor\'  of  the  men 
of  the  lialeiijh.  In  (k'Jineatin'>;  tlie  work  of  the  "  nven- 
lion,  Recorder,  (^^olle^'e  and  ^lissions,  we  have  ,  •  'rit- 
ing  the  history  of  the  Kaleigh.  ';/^y  .  I"^. 

The  leading  church  is  the  Tabernacle,  Ra'  iii\,j  >  p-  ch 
the  Pn'oughtons  are  members.      Its  pastors  lia  'S. 

.1.  1).  Ihifliam,  W.  li.  Cwaltucy,  G.  S.  Wiiliams,  Thomas 
Dixon,  Jr.,  \V.  A.  N<>lsoii,  J.  J.  Hall,  A.  aM.  SImms  and 
W.  1).  Hubbard.  'Hic  Suii(biy  School  of  this  church  is 
rlie  largest  in  the  State,  nitmbering  over  1,000.  Other 
strong  churches  of  this  Association  are  Holly  Springs, 
Gary,  A])ex,  Clayton,  ]\Iorrisville  and  Wakefield.  It  now 
has  50  churches,  with  a  membershi-p  of  5,150,  and  con- 
tribtited  in  181U)  to  benevolence  $12,918. 

CAPE    FEAP.   ASSOCIATIOIsr. 

This  xVssociation  was  also  organized  in  1805,  by 
churches  from  the  Nense  in  the  counties  of  Cumbei'land, 
Ivobeson,  Cohtmbus,  Bladen  and  Brunswick.  It  early  co- 
0])crated  with  the  Convention  in  missionary  and  educa- 
tional enterprises.     It  possessed  a  great  deal  of  missionary 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  I  1 5 

territory,  and  adopted  a  plan  of  Associational  missions 
wliicli  for  several  years  was  more  prosperous  than  that  of 
any  other  Association,  This  work  was  led  by  Ilaynes 
Lennon.  Through  him,  aided*  by  otliei'S  whose  labors  will 
long  be  remembered  along  the  Cape  Fear,  the  Association 
rapidly  planted  Baptist  churches  throughout  the  territory. 
]\lan}'  of  the  churches  in  this  body  now  are  weak,  and  are 
struggling  hard  to  gain  a  stronger  foothold  in  their  respect- 
ive  communities.  Other  denominations  are  strong  in 
this  section,  especially  the  Presbyterians. 

James  McDaniel,  one  of  the  most  eloquent  preachers 
of  North  Carolina,  in  an}^  denomination,  was  born  near 
Fayetteville,  and  helped  to  found  the  Baptist  church  in 
this  old  Scotch  town.  lie  was  })astor  at  Fayetteville 
thirty-two  years,  and  was  Clei-k  of  the  Cape  Fear  Asso- 
ciation fourteen  years,  lie  was  the  leader  of  this  body, 
and  was  niso  President  of  the  State  (Convention  ninc'teen 
_\ears. 

The  Cn])e  Feai'  now  has  51)  churches,  with  a  memher- 
shi])  of  4,r>()'J,  and  contributed  to  all  objects  in  11)00, 
$3,340.12. 

THE     GIIOWAX    ASSOCIATIOX. 

Ibis  body  was  organized  by  churches  from  the  Kehukee 
in  1S05,  and  held  its  first  session,  ISOG,  on  Xewbegim 
Creek,  Pasquotank  County,  at  the  church  now  known  as 
Salem,  From  its  organization  the  Chowan  was  mission- 
ary in  spirit,  being  led  by  the  gallant  and  godly  ]\fartin 
Boss  during  the  first  years  of  its  history.  It  was  in  this 
Association  that  the  General  Meeting  of  Corres]iondenco 
was  inaugurated,  whose  object  was  to  enkindle  the  spirit 
of  missions  throu2;hout  the  State.      There  were  30  churches 


Il6  A  HISTORY  OF  Tmi  BAPTISTS 

L'ctst  of  the  Uoaiiuke,  that  is,  in  ihc  Chowan,  when  tlic 
State  Convention  was  organized;  there  wei'e  o,10U  nieni- 
bers.  In  1850  tlicre  were  45  ehnrehes  with  7,U0U  mem- 
bers. Jn  18(50  there  were. 5:^  ehnrehes  ami  10,800  mem- 
l)crs;.  'J'liis  marvellons  g'rowtli  was  cine  to  tlie  zealou.s 
missionary  worlcers  in  its  ])or(_lers.  In  Lemnel  Ijnrlcilts  day 
the  "itinerant"  jjreaehers  traveled  from  the  Seaboartl  to  the 
Jioanoke.  Alartin  lioss  kindled  anew  this  blessed  spirit, 
and  after  the  (J'ojivention  was  organized  this  body  eon- 
eentrated  its  eli'orts  to  give  the  Gospel  to  the  State  and 
world. 

Ill  later  years  the  leading  wcjrkers  were  John  1).  Elwell, 
Qninton  11.  Trotnnin,  J.  1).  Jlnfham  and  \i.  II.  ()\'crby. 
llufham,  in  his  yonnger  days,  did  mneli  to  propagate  the 
gosi)el  in  this  seetion,  bnt  soon  erossed  the  Koanoke  and 
gave  his  labors  to  another  seetion.  11.  R.  Overby,  ednca- 
ted  at  Riehmond  College,  eame  from  \'^irginia  and  nuide 
his  home  in  this  lovely  region.  For  over  half  a.  eentnry 
ihis  able  hero  of  the  eross  has  j)reaelied,  prayed  and  la- 
boretl  to  bring  the  kingdom  of  God  into  Rasqnotank,  Cam- 
den and  Cnrritnek  eonnties.  He  has  helped  to  bnild  and 
dedicate  a  large  nnmber  of  cliurches,  and  is  to-day  the 
lionored  ])astor  of  ehnrehes  in  Camden  and  Cnrritnek. 
Another  faithfnl  toiler  in  this  section  wiis  Wells  Briggs,. 
the  blind  ])reacher.  The  Baptist  ehnrehes  in  lower  (^irri- 
tnek  and  on  Roanoke  Island  are  monum(>nts  of  his  })raycrs 
and  labors.  Another  ceaseless  worker  is  ,]osia]\  Elliot. 
For  fifteen  years  he  has  been  l^nikling  cknrclies  in  destitute 
neighborhoods.  In  building  one  church  in  Ilydo  County, 
he  mortgaged  his  horse  and  buggy  to  pay  the  debt  on  the- 
house  of  the  Lord.. 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  II 7 

Ilariiiony  has  always  jn'cvailed  in  the  Chowan.  Ilard- 
shellisni  soon  ceased  to  be  an  obstacle  to  the  onward  march 
of  tlic  churches.  Campbellisni  had  hwl  little  effect  on 
Eastern  Carolina,  probably  Ijecause  of  the  great  power  of 
Qninton  II,  Trotman.  The  body  increased,  until  in  1SS2 
there  wei'e  o\'ei-  80  churches,  and  the  West  Chowan  was 
organized.  'This  made  the  Cliowan  liiver,  instead  of  the 
Koanoke  as  formerly,  the  western  boundary  of  the  old 
Chowau.  ^Notwithstanding  the  division,  the  Chowan  now 
has  55  churches  and  a  membership  of  8,379,  ]\Iost  of  its 
churches  are  strong,'  and  uroiiTessive.  Amou""  the  leading 
churches  are  ElizabetluCity,  Edenton,  Shiloh,  Sawyer's 
CrtH'k,  Ilei'tford,  etc.  Jn  11)00  tlie  Chowan  contributed 
to  all  objects  $10,4-41,  being  the  third  largest  contributiu' 
in  all  tlie  State. 

1''!{FX(:1I     UUOAl)    A.S.SOCIATIOX. 

It  v\'as  formed  in  ISOS.  It  is  the  oldest  Association  in 
the  west,  li;i\'inii'  existed  eleven  years  before  any  otlier 
w^as  organized  beyond  the  Blue  liidgc.  So  it  was  in  these 
early  years  the  jjreservative  force  of  Baptist  ])rineiples  in 
the  west.  ]\tars  Hill  College  is  within  its  bounds,  and  in 
tliese  last  years  has  reacted  on  the  churches  of  the  iVssocia- 
tion  by  shedding  its  light  on  all  its  territory.  This  wo 
conside)'  in  another  connection.  The  French  Broad  now 
lias  -28  churches,  with  a  mendjership  of  -',000. 

PEE    DEE    ASSOCIxVTIOX. 

This  was  formed  from  the  Sandy  Creek  in  October, 
18K;,  by  chnrches  on  the  southwest  of  Deep  TJivcr.  Tlic 
old  riersey  Baptist  C^hurcli,  on  tlie  Yadkin,  was  a  member 


Il8  A  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

oi  this  body  I'roiii  ISLS  to  1^2^).  Tliu  leader  of  tliis  Asso- 
ciiUioii  for  }cars  was  John  Culpeper,  who  traveled  over 
all  this  territory,  preached  to  all  its  churches,  and  repre- 
sented all  the  objects  of  the  (J'onventioii.  It  was  nils- 
sioiuiry  from  its  rise.  The  leading  churches  are  Wades- 
boro,  I\ockinghain  and  Laurinburg.  It  has  grown  to  28 
churches,  with  a  menjbershij:!  uf  2,oo~,  and  its  contribu- 
tions in  liJOO  were  $0,194.83. 

TUCKASEIGEE    ASSOCIATIOX. 

This  is  the  second  oldest  body  of  Baptists  in  the  wes^t, 
having'  been  founded  by  Humphrey  Posey  in  1819.  It 
^\■as  composed  of  churches  from  the  French  Broad,  and 
has  increased  to  41  churches,  with  a  membership  of  4,091. 
It  is  now  one  of  the  most  prosperous  xVssociations,  with  an 
intelligent  minislry  and  a  cultivated  laity.  In  1899  it 
took  steps  for  the  o})eration  of  an  ^Vssociational  High 
School. 

liUtER  c'1M-;j:k  assooiatiux. 

This  Ijody  was  organized  in  1822  by  churches  in  the 
territory  of  the  Yadkin,  in  the  county  of  Wilkes.  It  had 
a  hard  struggle  with  anti-missionism  in  its  early  years, 
hut  s(.)i)n  its  churches  espoused  tlie  cause  of  missions.  It 
has  grown  into  31  ehnrches,  witli  a  membership  of  3,297. 

CATAWliA    RIVElt   ASSOCUATIOX. 

This  is  one  of  the  oldest  Associations,  having  been  or- 
ganized in  1830  by  churches,  in  the  nmin,  from  the  Broad 
River  .^.ssoeiation,  vSouth  Carolina.  I\[organton  is  the 
leading  church  now.  This  body  has  fought  its  battles 
against    anti-missionisui    and    intemperance,    and    is   now 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  II 9 

taking  its  stand  in  the  front  line  of  missions,  it  now  has 
28  churches,  with  a  memhership  of  2,324,  and  contributed 
in  1900,  $2,14-4.20. 

TAli   RIVER   ASSOCIATION. 

This  body  was  organized  in  1S31  by  churches  from  the 
Keliukee,  lialcigh  and  Fhat  River  Associations,  nine  oi 
thcra  having  withdrawn  from  the  Kehukee  because  of  its 
anti-missionary  spirit.  From  the  origin  of  this  Associa- 
tion, missions  were  its  object,  and  among  the  leading 
Associations  of  the  State  none  has  played  a  more  important 
part  than  Tar  River, 

Foremost  among  the  champions  of  this  body  has  been, 
and  is,  tlie  aggressive  J.  J).  Ilufliam.  For  years  Jie  was 
pastor  at  Scotland  Xeck ;  then,  after  leaving  the  xVssocia- 
tion  for  a  short  time,  lie  returned,  and  is  now  the  prosper- 
ous pastor  at  Henderson.  '  He  has  done  the  gTcatcst  work 
of  liis  life  within  the  borders  of  tliis  body.  Nearly  all 
the  towns  in' its  territory  liave  been  reached,  and  in  them 
are  now  standing  Baptist  churches.  The  lovely  town  of 
Wasliington  has  been  Uic  hardest  lield  in  its  borders.  For 
\ears  the  Baptists  were  on  the  point  of  giving  up  this  field, 
but  now  the  Baptist  church  there,  under  J.  S.  Corpening^ 
is  growing,  and  destined  to  become  a  credit  to  the  denomi- 
nation. Thirty  thousand  dollars  have  been  spent  on  mis- 
sions in  the  Tar  River  in  the  last  25  years.  In  1900  it 
pledged  $2,500. 

Among  the  leading  churches  arc  Scotland  iSTeck,  Hen- 
derson, Rocky  j\'[ount,  Wilson,  Weldon,  Louisburg  and 
Greenville.  Tlic  contributions  of  this  Association  for  1900 
were  $19,913,  being  tlie  largest  in  the  State.      Its  contri- 


120  A    UISTORV  OF  THE  liAPTISTS 

[.•lUiuiis  to  the  ()f()liaii;iiii'  were*  alxniL  -^1,200,  li('i!i<i,'  the 
liiv^ii'st  of  any  A.-i-^'Jciatioii.  It  has  the  hirjicst  luiiiibcr  of 
churches  (7'.)),  with  a  iiicmherslii|)  of  7,027. 

UK  U  LA  1 1     ASSCIC 1 ATION . 

I'his  h(i(ly  was  oriiani/ccl  in  1S."j2,  Ijv  Sti,'})ht'n  Plca.^ant, 
first  AloiU'i'ari.ir,  with  only  threo  churches,  driven  out  of 
the  Country  Line  Associations  on  acroiuit  of  missions. 
The  iJeulali  stood  for  the  etlucation  of  young'  nrinisters, 
for  a  circular  letter,  Is-'kS,  on  "Tlie  lni]jortance  of  Educa- 
tion Ainonu'  ]\Iinisters  of  the  Gospel,"  was  incorporated  in 
the  niinuTes.  it  liad  two  liidi  schools  in  Caswell,  one 
conducted  hy  Dr.  J.  -J.  James,  a  pastoi"  in  the  Beulah,  and 
the  otlicr  a  female  school  located  at  J^iilton.  The  Jjeulali 
had  in  those  eaidy  days  a  better  system  of  Associational 
missions  than  eithei-  the  (.'ape  Fear,  Cho^van  or  Kasteru, 
its  leadin;^-  men  hidnu'  among  the  worthiest  in  the  ranks 
o1  the  Slate.  lint  a  man  is  now  needed  to  devote  his  en- 
tire rime  to  destitute  ])laces  in  the  licidah.  J.  II.  Lam- 
berth,  Avlu)  has  just  crossed  the  dark  river,  was  about  to 
take  u|)  this  work  when  called  u])  hiiilier. 

This  Association  is  the  native  liome  of  the  Potcats,  Eev. 
E.  ^f.,  the  able  and  scholarly  preacher,  now  pastor  in  Phil- 
adelphia, and  1^'of.  \V.  L.,  the  eminent  teacher,  popular 
lecturer  and-  jileasing  writer.  Of  these  the  Beulah  is 
justly  proud.  The  Association  novr  has  only  10  churclies, 
with  a  memberslii])  of  SOG,  and  contributed  in  1900, 
$1, SCO. 90. 

niiii'Urrv    associaiuox. 

This  liody  wa.>,  fcu-med  in  TS;M-  l)y  churches  in  the 
counties  of  Davidson,  Stokes  and  Guilford.      In  its  early 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA  121 

lii.story  this  body  was  an  active  iiiissiouary  organization, 
but  about  tlie  niicUlio  of  tlic  ninetccntli  century  lost  sonic 
of  its  zeal  for  missions.  At  its  last  session,  however,  it 
showed  a  warm  spirit  for  missions,  and  is  now  advancing 
in  its  contributions  to  the  objects  of  the  Convention.  It 
has  grown  into  ii5  churches,  with  a  membership  of  -,-37, 
and  contributed  in  1900,  $3,234.2G. 

THREE     FORKS    ASSOCIATION. 

This  body  was  organized  in  1840.  Like  the  Yadkin 
and  (.''atawba,  the  Three  Forks  had  a  sliarp  struggle  with 
anti-missionism.  Tjut  its  cliurches  are  now  taking  their 
stand  in  the  regular  lines  of  the  Convention's  advanced 
Avork.  It  nund)ers  33  churches,  with  a  membership  o.t 
2,728,  and  contributed  in  1900  to  all  objects,  $1,457.00. 

ciUF':E.N    ]mvj:];    association'. 

This  body  was  organized  in  1841,  a  j)ai't  of  its  churches 
being  fi'om  the  Jji'oad  River  Association,  Soulh  Carolina. 
It  lies  ncNt  to  tlie  C'atawba  River  Association.  Dr.  Ricli- 
ard  Furman,  one  of  the  ilhistrious  names  of  South  Caro- 
lina Ba]:)tists,  during  a  [)art  of  the  Kevolutionary  War, 
preached  within  its  bounds.  Ilis  labors  were  productive 
of  Ba])tist  churches  at  a  later  day.  Tn  1825  the  minutes 
of  Green  River  showed  25  churches,  but  none  of  them  ex- 
ceeded a  membership  of  100  at  that  time.  It  now  has 
42  churches,  with  a  member.ship  of  4,244,  and  contributed 
$4,200  to  all  objects  in  1900. 

EASTi:];x    association. 

This  Association  was  formed  in  1844,  and,  having 
much  n.iissionai'v  ground   lu   ils  territory,  spent   in  one  of 


122  A  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

Its  oiirly  years  .1^2,000  and  ('m[)lo}'L'J  17  missionaries  iii  its 
l)urJers,  Its  marvellous  success  in  missionary  work  was 
(.lue  to  its  leaders.  Benjamin  Oliver^  Duplin  County, 
was  Chairnian  of  the  Board,  and  bis  zeal  was  bounded 
only  by  bis  ability.  (Japtain  Charles  D.  Ellis,  a  deacon 
of  the  b'ii'st  Church,  Wilmington,  was  Secretary  and 
Treasurer  of  the  Board,  \vho  gave  largely  of  his  means  and 
time  to  Associational  missions. 

The  leading  church  of  the  Eastern  is  the  First  Church, 
^^  ilmington,  the  largest  city  in  A'orth  Carolina.  The  six 
years  of  J.  L.  Pi'itchard's  pastorate  told  mucb  for  the  prog- 
ress of  this  church,  and  of  the  Association.  Through  his 
industry,  the  cliurch  was  able  to  go  into  iis  $10,000  church 
building.  This  church  and  Association  suffered  mucb 
from  the  blighting  scenes  of  ihe  Civil  War,  but  since,  the 
labors  of  T.  II.  I^-itchard,  \V.  B.  Oliver  and  C.  S.  l]lack- 
M'cll  have  regaiucHl  all  that  was  lost  and  attained  much 
more. 

l'\)r  sevej-al  years  ihe  clot[nent  T.  J i.  Brileliard  was 
pastor  of  this  cliiirch  and  leader  in  iho  Associalion.  J)r. 
Pritchard  was  a  scli(.iiar,  an  orator,  a  patriot,  a  philan- 
thropist. J I  is  love  for  orphan  children  is  ^\'ell  known  to 
all  tlie  State.  His  speeches  for  the  Orplianage  have  melted 
the  hearts  of  tliousands,  and  bis  stories  of  "Uncle  Peuius," 
so  happily  told  to  the  orphans  at  Thomasville,  will  ever 
be  chcrislu;d  by  them  as  some  of  their  sweetest  reminis- 
cence's. This  beautiful  spirit  passed  away  to  the  land  of 
joy  in  ^lay,  ISO 5. 

The  Eastern  now  numbers  (!!  churches  and  G,379  mem- 
bers.     It  u'ave  to  all  objects  in  lUOO,  $1:!, ITT. 24, 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  I  23 

KIXGS  MOUiMTAIA'   ASSOCIATION. 

This  body  was  formed  in  1852,  and  from  its  incipiencj" 
was  devoted  to  the  interests  of  the  Convention.  The  but- 
tle of  Kings  Mountain,  fought  for  liberty,  has  its  field 
of  blood  "within  this  Association.  It  is  the  native  home 
ol  the  Dixon  family  of  preachers.  T.  Dixon,  Sr.,  is  one 
of  the  veterans  of  this  section,  and  the  father  of  Frank 
Dixon,  Thonnis  Dixon,  Jr.,  New  York  City,  and  of  A.  C. 
Dixon,  Boston,  Mass.  The  Jvings  Mountain  now  con- 
tains 33  churches,  with  a  membership  of  5,f2'2,  and  con- 
tri])uied  in  1900  to  all  objects,  $0,584.99. 

UXIOJf   ASSOCIATION. 

Til  is  body,  organized  in  1855,  has  athliatcd  with  the 
('onvention  ever  since  its  formation.  Tlie  Civil  War  pi-e- 
vcnted  growth  in  its  early  years.  j\Ionroe  is  one  of  the 
strongest  Baptist  churclies  in  this  body,  llight  C.  Moore 
was  for  sin'eral  yeai's  ihe  successful  pastor  of  litis  chiirrli, 
(W  wliich  Di'.  A.  M.  Croxloii  is  now  pasUn-.  Tlic  Lliiion 
ii(AV  mrmbers  31  churches,  with  a  membcrsliip  of  3,1-18. 
It  has  acUK'd  one  clnirch  a  year  for  live  years,  wliich  shows 
a  iiealthy  condition  of  the  churclies  of  this  .Association. 
Il  contributed  for  all  objects  in  1900,  $1,107.19. 

XEW    FOUX'D    ASSOOTAT10i\\ 

This  body  was  organized  in  1855,  and  belongs  to  that 
beautiful  region  embraced  in  the  Western  (V)nvention  of 
former  years.  It  has  not  been  as  active  in  missionary  ope- 
rations  as  nuiny  of  the  bodies  already  considered,  but-  now 
tijcre  is  being  manifested  a  great  revival  ol  missions.  At 
its  last  session,  the   N'ew  Found  elected   a  missionary  i'or 


124  A  IIISrORV  OF  TIIIC  BAPTISTS 

its  territory,  aiiJ  sent  him  out  in  co-operatiuu  with  the 
btate  J^iissioii  Ijoard.  Tlie  Xew  Foiunl  passed  a  resolu- 
tion in  18I)*J  to  alHliato  with  the  Convention  and  its  State 
Board  ^Lost  of  the  ministers  (jf  this  hody  are  nncdn- 
eated,  InU  tliey  l(j\'e  the  iJilde  and  have  doiu.'  a  great  deal 
of  evanii'elistie  work,  'idiero  are  22  orchiined  ministers, 
25  ehnrehe.->,  and  I,."??  members. 

CKUATJ     CREJOK     AS.SOCTATIOX. 

This  body  was  formed  in  1858,  and,  being  organized  on 
the  brink  of  the  Civil  \Var,  did  not.  nndce  much  ])rogress 
in  the  lirst  years.  .\{  its  last  session  it  showed  that  it 
was  in  symi>athy  witli  the  objeets  of  the  Convention,  and 
its  |)]'os})eets  ai'e  briglit  foi'  a  better  future.  It  is  only  a 
snuill  body,  nnndiering  IG  chnrehes,  with  a  membership 
of  1,777. 

ei':Ni'i;AL  associatidx. 

This  body  was  organized  in  1800  by  ehurchcs  from  the 
Haleigh.  Like  the  mother  Assoeiation,  this  Ijody  lias  ever 
been  in  the  front  line  of  missions.  As  intimated  before, 
tlie  C'entral  helped  defray  the  expenses  of  Dr.  Yates, 
Slianghai.  Tlu>  statistics  show  that  tlio  Central  is  next 
to  the  largest  eonti'ibntor  to  foreign  missions  in  all  the 
State  (West  Chowan  being  the  largest).  This  Associa- 
tion contains  the  old  Flat  Rock  Church,  Franklin  County, 
from  which  so  many  other  churches  have  sprung,  and  at 
Avhicli  the  nobh.'  Dr.  William  "Royall  lal>ored  so  many 
years. 

The  leading  church  of  the  (\'ntral  is  tlie  First  (Miureh, 
of  Raleigh.      This  church  was  but  an  infant  in  1830,  when 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  I  25 

tlie  t.'onvention  made  an  appropriation  for  its  support.  It 
soon  became  independent.  Eefore  18(J0  the  able  and 
scholarly  T.  K.  Skinner  had  led  the  church  ont  oi  the 
building  erected  by  Amos  J.  Battle  into  tlio  spacious  and 
iin])Osing  editice  occupied  to-day.  IJr.  Skinner  was  con- 
sidered at  the  head  of  the  North  Carolina  Baptist  pulpit 
for  several  years  before  he  retired  from  tlie  pastorate, 
lie  was  a  great  planner,  and  some  years  ago  he  dreamed 
of  a  grand  educational  enterprise  for  the  Baptist  \vomen 
oi  N(jrth  Carolina,  which  is  being  realized  in  the  Baptist 
h'emak'  Univei'sity.  Tlie  Central  now  numbers  ^T  churches, 
with  a  membc'i'ship  of  ->,44;],  and  contributed  in  11)00, 
$12,Si)4.5S  for  all  objects. 

STOXY  KOKK  ASSOCrATIOX, 

This  hody  was  organized  in  18G2,  -amid  the  struggles  of 
the  Civil  War,  and  so  it  did  not  make  any  considerable 
])rogr(>ss  at  lirst.  it  is  still  a  small  hody,  with  only  l-l- 
churches,  and  a  membership  of  1,07G.  The  last  session, 
L'owever,  shows  the  spirit  of  progress  is  heginning  to  mark 
this  Association, 

^!T.    ZION    ASSOCIATION. 

The  organization  of  the  ]\It.  Zion,  1S70,  the  first  aftci 
the  C\v\\  War,  was  the  dnwn  of  a  new  era  in  the  work  of 
]uissions.  It  has  within  its  hounds  the  city  of  Ditrham, 
wliich,  at  the  close  of  the  war,  contained  only  two  or  three 
sloi-es.  It  rose  as  if  hy  nuigic.  The  Bajitlst  faith  took 
root  and,  like  the  city  itself,  has  had  a  nnirvellous  gi'owth, 
there  being  three  Baptist  churches  in  the  city.  The  Aged 
"Ministers'  Ivelief  Board  was  located  here,  and  the  ]\rt.  Zion 


126  A  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

has  berii  the  lai'gvst  contributor  to  the  old  soldiers  of  the 
cross.  It  now  nuuiljors  4^  churches,  with  a  ineuibership 
of  5,(J1S,  and  contributed  to  all  objects  in  1900,  $17,- 
025.51, 

liKUSlLY    MOUNTAIN    ASSOCIATION. 

The  rise  uf  this  body  has  been  bound  np  with  tlie 
growth  of  two  or  three  other  Associations,  and  was  marked 
by  g-reat  couHicts.  The  Lewis  Fork  Association  arose  in 
1S35,  was  composed  at  iirst  of  8  churches,  but  soon 
increased  K)  -20.  In  1851  it  was  divided  on  the  Temper- 
ance {piestion.  it  expelled  the  church.es  in  favor  of  tem- 
perance, which  united  and  formed  the  Taylorsville  Asso- 
ciation. Tlie  churclies  remaining  neutral  were  formed 
into  Lower  Ci'oek  .Vssociation.  About  ISGO,  the  old  ani- 
mosities died  out,  and  tlie  three  Associations  were  merged 
into  one,  called  the  "United  Baptist  Association."  But 
m  1802  some  churches  became  dissatisfied  and  reorganized 
Lewis  Fork  Association.  In  lyTl  the  conllict  began 
gradually  to  cease,  and  in  1874  the  Brushy  Mountain 
Association  was  organized  by  the  churches  of  old  Lewis 
Fork  aiul  United  l>a]:)tist  Associations. 

Tlie  churches  of  this  body  are  becoming  more  mission- 
ary, and  tlie  Tem])erance  (juestion,  so  long  a  source  of  trou- 
l)le,  is  ceasing  lo  annoy  the  cliurches.  It  now  has  19 
churches,  with  a  membership  of  1,574, 

SOUTU   YADKIN   ASSOCIATION. 

This  liody  was  formed  in  1874,  and  has  been  an  im- 
portant field  for  missions,  besides  it  is  itself  much  inter- 
ested in  the  work  of  missions.  The  "Rowan  Mission 
Field"  has  brouglit  fortli  good  fruit  under  the  nurture  of 


IN   NORTH  CAROLINA.  I  27 

J.  JS'.  Stallings.  The  new  railroad  from  Moorc.sville  to 
Mocksville  has  given  vise  to  important  mission  points  in 
towns  and  vilhiges  along  the  lino.  The  building  of  the 
large  cotton  factory  at  SiioalS;,  Davie  County,  opens  up 
another  iicld.  Both  fields  have  already  been  entered. 
Stalliiigs,  Henry  Sheets  and  (',  G.  Wells  are  leaders  in 
this  Associatio]!.  It  now  uuud)ers  ■2[)  churches,  with  a 
membership  of  2,294,  and  contributed  in  1900,  $G,S95.25. 

LITTLE    RIVER   ASSOCIATION. 

It  was  organized  in  187 G,  and  has  grown  to  21  churches, 
with  a  membership  of  2,181.  It  is  not  vm-y  progressi\'e 
in  missionary  work,  but  contributed  in  1900  to  all  objects, 
$1,880.09. 

SOTTil     RIVKR    ASSOCTATIOX. 

1'his  body  was  organized  in  1877.  It  has  grown  to 
31  churches,  with  a  membership  of- 2,934,  and  contribnted 
in  1900  to  all  objects,  $3,031.18.  The  South  Kiver  is 
coming  to  the  front  as  an  active  missionary  organization. 

c AiiOLi.N A  AS8OCIAT1  ox . 

It  was  also  organized  in  1877,  and  belongs  to  the  beau- 
tiful west.  It  has  made  its  power  felt  in  that  lovely  sec- 
tion, and  is  becoming  a  worthy  assistant  of  the  French 
Broad  and  Tuckasiegce.  In  1899,  the  Carolina  decided 
to  establish  an  Associational  High  School  at  Fruitland, 
Henderson  County.  A  six-room  building  has  been 
erected,  and  the  school  o])ened  with  loo  and  soon  ran  its 
matriculations  to  200.  I'he  Carolina  numbers  34  churches, 
with  a  membership  of  3,732,  and  contribnted  in  1900, 
$2,423. 


128  A  HISTORY  OK  THK  BAPTISTS 

i;Mv1x    Ass(jc]A'rioN. 

This  l)ody  \v<us  i'urmetl  iu  l.sT'J,  and  3io\v  coutaiu.s  21 
C'hnrelu'Sj  Aviih  a  iiR'iiil)c-i'sliij)  of  l,o01),  the  clmrc-lies  not 
iivoraginii,'  70  m^'Uibers  cacli.  Lts  pastors  aj'u  not  a'cner- 
a]]y  eihu-atcd  and  not  informed  as  to  tlio  wovlc  of  niis.si<_)ns, 
and  so  the  Associati(jn  is  not  alive  to  the  eanse  of  missions. 

SOUTH     FUI;K    ASSOeMATION. 

This  hodv  was  formed  in  ISTi',  and  has  grown  to  3G 
chnrelies,  witli  a  memhershij)  of  .'KfiO^.  It  luis  been  add- 
ing, ujion  an  average  for  sew^'ai  years,  one  c'lmreh  t-aeh 
year  and  ahciut  100  nuMnhers.  Lineolnton  Clinreh  is  one 
of  the  stroiiiiost  in  this  body.  The  Sonth  Fork  is  rapidly 
becoming  one  of  the  most  active  missionary  ])odics.  It 
gave  to  all  objects  in  I'JOO,  ^'>,i)2\).V>r>. 

MITCH i:m.   (.(H'xty    AssocrA'riox. 

■'I'lie  orgaiii/ation  of  this  body,  ISSl,  Hrst  of  the  IG 
new  Associations  betwcHMi  ISSO  and  ISUO,  marks  another 
era  m  the  advancing  canso  of  missi<jns.  In  ISDO  this 
body  established  a  good  lEigh  Scho(jl  nt  B^dcersvi]ie.  It 
now  has  28  churches,  with  a  membershi])  of  2,G2j. 

UOIJESOX    A.SSOCIATIOX. 

This  body  was  formed  in  1882,  and  in  eighteen  years 
has  come  to  the  front  with  the  leading  Associations.  Lnm- 
berton  High  School  has  made  its  influence  felt  throughout 
the  Association.  It  has  sent  many  distingnishod  young  men 
to  Wake  Forest,  the  inost  eminent  of  whom  is  Professor 
C'arlylo,  now  occupying  the  Chair  of  Latin  at  his  Alma 
Mater.      One  of  the  most  influential  men  of  this  bodv  is 


IN  NORTH  CAROUNA.  1 29 

K.  K.  Proctor,  who  has  been  Clerk  for  several  years.  It 
luniib.ers  4-1  churches,  with  a  membership  of  4,257,  and 
contributed  in  1900,  $7,0t;i.4S. 

WEST   Cl[OWA]Sr  ASSOCIATIOAT. 

This  body  was  organized  from  the  Chowan  in  1SS3,  by 
the  Baptist  churches  between  the  Chowan  and  Eoanoke 
rivers.  The  West  Chowan  stands  higii  among  the  Asso- 
ciations of  the  State.  At  Meherrin,  within  its  borders, 
ihe  General  jNIecring  of  Correspondence  was  first  dis- 
cussed. To  the  West  (.howan  belongs  the  Sandy  Run, 
fciinerly  called  Bertie,  where  preached  and  labored  Lem- 
uel Ciu'kirt ;  Cashie,  where  i\Iai'liii  Ross  sounded  the  toc- 
sin of  missions  and  the  General  fleeting  of  ( j^rrespcmdence 
^^•as  organized ;  Ahoskie,  organized  in  1804 ;  Buckhorn, 
in  1885;  JMt.  Tabor,  1839;  Bethlehem,  the  home  of  Dr. 
'1  homas,  the  model  associational  moderator;  ^lurfreesboro, 
constituted  in  181-3,  ^^'here  stands  the  classic  school  of 
Cliowaii  Baptist  Female  Institute, 

This  Ijody  contributes  the  largest  sum  to  ihc  Board  of 
Education  at  Wake  Forest.  Perhaps  this  is  through  the 
infhience  of  Dr.  John  Mitchell,  whose  i-elatives  live  in  the 
West  Chowan.  Here  lived  and  labored  the  venerated  W. 
W.  Mitchell,  Ahoskie,  jSI.  C.  Though  he  has  rested  from 
his  labor,  still  his  name  is  dear  to  many  in  the  West 
Chowan,  and  his  memory  is  held  in  honor.  J.  S.  flitch- 
ell,  his  son,  succeeded  him  as  Treasurer  of  the  Association. 
C,  AV.  Mitchell,  Aulander,  of  the  same  family,  is  also  an 
eminent  Baptist  of  this  section.  C.  AV.  Scarboro,  T.  G. 
AVood,  L.  AI.  Curtis,  AV.  P.  Jordan,  T.  T.  and  J.  A. 
Speight  are  leading  ])asto]'s  iu  this  body,  which  now  num- 
Q 


130  A  HISTORY  OF  THK  BAPTISTS 

Lc-i'S  -I'J  elm  relics  with  a  ineinbcrship  of  9,478,  the  largest 
of  any  Association  in  the  State.  It  contributed  to  all  ob- 
jects in  1900,  $13,724.44. 

ATLANTIC   A.SSOCIATIOiSr, 

This  body  was  forined  in  1884,  and  increased  to  4-4 
churches,  with  a  niembcrshi})  of  3,702,  by  1899,  Avhen 
il  was  divided  to  form  tlie  IS'eiise  Association.  The  desti- 
tution of  this  section  is  appalling.  There  are  about 
200,000  inhabitants  in  the  bounds  of  this  Association 
(before  division),  but  less  than  3,000  Baptists.  Tl»r- 
region  is  tilled  with  almost  numberless  ^'isnis."  The  Mor- 
mons have  about  one  dozen  missionaries,  while  tlie  Bap- 
tists have  only  eight  in  this  territory.  The  leading  chiirelies 
are  those  at  Goldsboro,  Xew  Bern,  Ivinston.  Tlie  First 
Church  at  x\e\v  Bern  has  grown  oui  of  great  persecution, 
and  has  had  among  its  pastors  some  of  the  greatest  men 
of  the  Convention — Tliomas  j\[eredith,  William  IIoo]X'r, 
fjdlin  Armstrcing,  l*\.)rey  and  Furnian.  The  ])resent  pas- 
toi  is  the  vigoi'ous  llight  C.  AJocjre.  This  body  is  ac^tive 
in  missions,  and  gave  to  all  objects  in  1900,  $13,153.48. 

CAnnWELl.    COUNTY    ASSOCIATION. 

This  body  was  organized  in  1885,  and  includes  some  of 
the  oldest  churches  in  the  Yadkin  region.  It  lias  grown 
to  28  churches,  with  a  membership  of  2,114,  and  gave  to 
all  objects  in  1900,  $1,770.00. 

STANLY    ASS<3CIATI0N, 

It  was  fornied  in  1885,  and  has  increased  to  19 
churches,  with  a  memborsliii)  of  1,719.  Its  churches 
are  feeble,  but  gave  to  all  objects  in  1900,  $2,138.23. 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  I3I 

BUA'COMBE    COUNTY    ASSOCIATION. 

It  was  organized  in  1SS5,  and  contains  the  beautiful 
city  of  Aslicvillc,  with  its  tliree  Baptist  churches,  success- 
fully led  by  W.  M.  Vines,  C.  H.  Durham  and  J.  F.  Vines. 
It  numbers  31  churches,  with  a  membership  of  3,201,  and 
gave  to  all  objects  in  1900,  $15,788.10,  being  the  fourth 
hiJ-gest  contributor  in  the  State. 

MECRLENBUKG    AND     CABAREUS    ASSOCIATION. 

It  was  organized  in  1880,  and  contains  the  city  of 
Cbarlotte,  where  was  made  the  famous  Mecklenburg  De- 
claration of  Independence  fourteen  months  before  the 
Declaration  of  Independence  at  Philadelphia.  There  are 
three  Baptist  churches  in  this  city,  and  the  work  is  pros- 
pering under  the  leadership  of  A.  C.  Barron,  successor 
of  the  late  T.  II.  Pritchard,  and  other  wortliy  brethren. 
The  body  numbers  21  churches,  with  a  membership  of 
2,li)5,  and  gave  to  all  objects  in  1900,  $0,409.90. 

L>IIX)T    JNEOlJATAiy    ASSOCIATION. 

This  body  was  formed  in  ISSO.  S.  P.  Conrad  has  been 
the  great  missionary  of  this  jVssociation,  and  many  of  the 
strong  churches  are  monuments  of  his  ceaseless  labors.  He 
has  several  times  morigaged  his  property  to  secure  the 
church  houses.  The  church  at  Mount  Airy  was  founded 
by  C.  C,  Haymore.  The  most  successful  pastor  is  II,  A. 
Brown,  of  the  Pirst  Chnrch,  Winston.  He  has  been  here 
for  22  years^  and  has  not  only  made  his  own  church  a  power 
for  good,  but  also  seiit  out  the  vigorous  Broad  Street 
Cliurch.  The  Pilot  ]\[ountain  now  numbers  42  churches, 
v\'irh  a  membersliip  of  4,lY0,  and  gave  to  all  objects  in 
1900,  $13,081.55. 


132  A  HISTORY  OF  THU  BAPTISTS 

HAYWOOD     COUNTY     ASSOCIATION. 

This  body  Avas  oi'guniyx-d  in  18SG.  It  is  a  small  body, 
but  at  tlie  session  of  IS'J'J  voted  to  unite  with  the  Tuckasei- 
gee  in  csta])lis]iing  a  high  school.  Thus  a  revival  oi'  edu- 
cational interest  is  seen,  it  has  now  18  chnrehes,  ^vitli 
a  membership  of  1,!)U(J,  and  gave  to  all  ohjeets  in  liJOO, 
.$2,5J2.!);J. 

AI,EXAXJ)F.K     ASSOCIATION. 

This  bodv  was  fornu'd  in  1887,  when  a  great  revival  of 
State  inissions  was  swee])ing  over  the  State.  It  now  has 
17  chnrehes,  with  a  mcmbershi])  of  2,437.  The  Associa- 
tion is  not  alive  to  the  work  of  missions. 

ALJ.EGHANY    AND    GliAYSON    ASSOCIATION. 

This  body  seems  to  have  been  organized  in  ]S87,  though 
not  then  known  by  this  manie.  It  lies  in  the  beautiful 
mountain  seelion,  and  now  nmubers  12  weak  eliurehes, 
^\•ith  a  mi^nbershi])  of  407. 

A'ANC'EY   COUNTY  ASSOCIATION. 

This  body  was  organized  in  1888.  In  1881)  it  took 
ste])s  to  establish  a  Baptist  High  Sehool  in  its  bounds. 
This  body  is  one  of  the  extreme  western  Associations,  and 
now  numbers  25  churches,  with  a  membership  of  2,574. 

:\IONTGO:»IEKY'    ASSOCIATION. 

This  body  was  formed  in  1SS9,  now  numbers  15 
churches,  with  a  membershi])  of  807,  and  gave  to  all  ob- 
jects in  inOO,  $1,010.4G. 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  I33 


BI.ADEX    ASSOCIATIOX, 

This  bod}'  was  formed  in  lSi)2,  now  niim])ers  28 
churches,  with  a  membership  of  2,1G1,  and  gave  to  all  ob- 
jects in   VJOO,   $1,U54.29. 

i'ii;n.\r()XT    ASS()C'JA'ri()x. 

This  bodv  was  formed  in  lc5'.)4,  Reidsville,  Iligli  J.'*oint 
and  Wasliington  Street,  Greensboro,  Ijcing  among  the  lead- 
ing chnrcJies.  Washington  Street  Chnrcii,  Greensboro, 
though  once  feel)le,  Inis  given  to  the  city  two  otlier  Bap- 
tist churches.  i\  A.  G.  Thonnis  put  it  on  its  feet  about 
five  years  ago,  and  the  I->a])tists  are  i'a])id]y  increasing  in 
Greensboro.  Tbe  Piedmont  now  numbers  IT  churc-hes, 
v.'itli  a  mend)ersliip  of  1,570,  and  gave  to  all  olijects  in 
1900,  $7,82r).00. 

niJ!KRTV-l;UCKTUWX    ASSOCIATION. 

This  body  bcdongs  to  d'ennessee  and  Xortli  Carolina, 
puanbering  22  churches  in  A'^ortli  (iirolina,  with  a  mcMuber- 
slii])  of  1,517. 

WESTERN    NORTH    CAROEINA    ASSOCIATION. 

This  body  has  22  churches,  with  a  mendu'i'ship  of 
1,000.  This  Association  and  the  l^ibcrty-Ducktown, 
lSin»,  united  to  establisli  a  High  School  at  liclle  View, 
vrhich  opened  with  bright  i)rospects. 

TRANSYLVANIA  ASSOCIATION. 

This  body  now  nund)ers  21  churches,  with  a  mendjcr- 
ship  of  1,501.  Tn  1800  it  voted  to  aihliate  with  tbe  State 
]\[ission  Board. 


134  A  HISTORY  OF  THK  BAPTISTS 

TEA'XKS.SEE     iilVEIi    ASSOCIATION. 

This  Assdciaiion  is  in  ilie  extreme  west,  now  numbers 
37  elnirches,  Avitli  a  merabcvsliip  of  2,367,  and  gave  in 
1000,  $1,01)0. GO.  In  ISOO  it  united  with  the  Tuckasiegee 
to  establish  a  Iligli  School  at  Sylva. 

S.\NDY    UUN     ASSOCIATION. 

This  body  has  27  churches,  witli  a  membership  of 
3,S20,  and  gave  to  all  objects  in  1900,  $3,550.21. 

ASIIE    COUN'l'Y    ASSOCIATION. 

Excepting  the  Xeuse,  tliis  body  seems  to  be  the  last 
formed,  being  only  al)out  three  years  old.  It  now  num- 
bers 25.)  churches,  with  a  membership  of  1,345. 

Tlierc  are  now  in  the  State  55  Associations  (white), 
the  most  of  whicli  arc  actively  engaged  in  the  mission 
work  of  the  Convention. 


IN  NORTH    CAROLINA.  I35 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

THE    WORK    OF    UXIOX    MEETINGS. 

The  origin  of  union  meetings  is  a  question  that  can 
not  be  ans\\'ere(l  witli  exactness.  It  is  almost  sure,  liow- 
ever,  that  the  organization  of  Associations  did  not  much 
antedate  the  origin  of  union  meetings.  That  is,  about 
the  time  when  oui*  fathers  finished  solving  the  problems 
of  church  and  state,  freedom  and  independence,  when  the 
smoke  of  the  lievolution  had  died  away  and  the  State 
was  settling  down  to  peace  and  prosperity,  the  Baptists 
Legan  these  gatherings  ca|led  union  meetings,  held  on  the 
hftli  Sundaj^s,  including  the  Friday  and  Saturday  before. 

The  union  meetings  are  not  so  permanent  in  their  or- 
ganization as  are  the  Convention  and  Associations,  Though 
the  Convention  and  Associations  have  theii-  defined  consti- 
tutions and  rules  of  decorum,  the  union  mcA'tings  are  in- 
'iorniiil  ill  their  scssicjiis,  and  not  so  l;istiiig  in  organization. 
Alany  unions  that  once  existed  liave.  dril'i't-d  out  of  exist- 
ence. This  was  I'-articularl}'  true  in  early  \-ears,  Ijut  now 
the  unions  ai'c  more  stable  in  organization. 

The  name  of  the  union  usually  corresponds  to  that  of 
ihe  Association  in  whose  hounds  it  is  held.  This  is  the 
case  if  there  is  but  one  union  in  an  xVssociation,  except  in 
tiie  case  of  the  West  Chowan  Associatioii,  whore  the  Eertie 
Union  covers  exactly  the  same  are;i  as  that  of  the  xVssocia- 
tion.  In  nmny  ■  Associations,  however,  then*  arc  two 
unions,  a  northern  nnd  a  southern,  a  western  and  an  east- 
ern. This  is  true  of  ihc  x\tlantic,  Pialcigh,  Central  and 
otlier  Associations,      In  still  oilier  Associalions  there  are 


1  ^6  A  HISTORY  OF  TIIK  BAPTISTS 


o 


iiLurt'  than  two  unions.  This  was  eminently  true  in  the 
L'iii'ly  days,  for  I  ho  Jvehukoo  Association  had  four  unions, 
the  Kastorn,  the  Jjertie,  the  i'lat  Swamp  and  the  Swift 
Ch'eek.  d'he  Chowan  uow  has,  and  has  had  for  se\'eral 
years,  three  unions,  the  Camden  and  Cui'rituek,  the  Seup- 
pernom:  and  the  ^'copim. 

These  union  meetings  have  always  heen  better  attended 
hy  the  eounti'y  people  than  by  the  town  people.  E\'en 
the  town  ])reaehers  have  often  ignored  them  and  stayed 
at  home  \vith  their  t)wn  ehurches  on  the  fifth  Sunday.  Btit 
llie  eiiuntry  ])reachers,  from  the  start,  took  the  l^ei'uest  in- 
tei'i'st  in  tliem,  and  the  hhiptists  of  the  Stati-  being  largcdy 
in  tlie  Country,  the  union  mcx'tings  have  jjlayed  an  im- 
portant })art  in   slKt])ing  their  church   life. 

The  nature  of  the  unions  is  easily  seen.  'They  exist 
not  for  l)usiness,  l)ut  are  t(.)  be  hap]\y  unions  for  sweet 
intereours(^  among  the  ehurches. 

iiAiM'^'    i;i:si-i/rs. 

First,  tlie  nungling  of  the  churches  and  bretliren.  \t 
these  gatherings  brethren  are  brought  together  from  two, 
three  or  four  counties,  and  here  for  the  first  time  come 
to  kncnv  and  lo\'e  each  other.  The  spirit  of  love  and  har- 
mony jiervading  these  assendolies  is  uplifting  and  inspir- 
ing, and  moves  peo]de  to  exclaim,  as  in  olden  times,  ""Be- 
liold,  how  they  love  each  other." 

Second,  these  unions  have  help^cd  to  establish  the 
churches  in  "faith  once  delivered  to  the  saints.'"  After 
]\[ethodists,  Presbyterians  and  Campbcllitcs  l^egan  to  gain 
a  foothohl  in  the  State  with  their  Pedoba]itist  vic\vs,  po- 
lemics became  a  used  and  uscd'ul  art  among  the  Ea])tist 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  I  37 

fatliO]"S.  Wlion  unions  were  held  in  ;i  Pedol):iptist  eoni- 
luunity,  it  was  a  tine  op[)(M-tnnily  for  Jja])tisrs  lo  sliow  rlieir 
colors  and  fire  their  biji'gest  i^uns  of  ar^uumentatiun.  The 
unions  always  drew  vast  congre^i>ations,  even  of  Pedo- 
ba])tists  and  non-])rofessors,  who  came  to  hear  the  sjMcy 
speeches  on  ''Infant  Baptism,"  "'Diijpini^,  S])riid\linii-  oi 
Pouring,"  ''The  Saving  EtHcacy  of  Water  Ijajtrisni,"  or 
''Close  Coninnuiion.''  These  doctrinal  discussions  are 
common  in  unions  to-day.  We  clip  the  following  topics 
from  programs:  "Is  the  Baptist  Form  of  Churcli  Gov- 
ernment Scriptural  ^"  '"Wliy  do  na])ti.sts  II(dtl  and 
Practice  Pesti'ictiHl  (\mimunionr'  "Is  the  Administra- 
tion of  the  hord's  Supper  as  l.'ractised  liy  the  l]ai)lists 
Loth  Scriptural  and  Consistent^'" 

Third,  these  unions  are  great  educators,  and  as  they 
]n(H't  ftuir  times  a  year  they  have  a  nuich  hettei'  opportu- 
]iity  tlian  tlie  Associations  to  come  in  touch  with  the  ])eople. 
AftcM"  tlie  rise  of  the  (J'onvention,  its  objects  became  the 
|)ii])uiai'  topics  lit  the  union  meetings,  and  so  the  ]ieo])le 
were  informed  as  to  the  needs  of  the  State  and  the  world, 
and  more,  were  enlightened  as  to  their  o\\'n  duties  and 
resj)Ousibilities. 

Fourth,  union  meetings  have  often  been  the  occasion  of 
great  revivals.  There  used  to  l)e  at  these  meetings  a  great 
deal  more  preaching  than  in  these  days.  As  those  un- 
learned but  })owerful  preachers  dispensed  the  Word,  the 
delegates  caught  the  lire  of  the  Sjui'^it  and  went  home  to 
arouse  tJieir  churches  and  begin  a  gracious  revival.  The 
most  remarkalde  instance  is  that  of  the  revival  following 
the  Pertie  Union  at  .^^eherrin,  ISOo.  Four  thousand  ])eo- 
ple  luid  gathered  on  Sumhiy  najruing'to  hear  Lemuel  Pur- 
kitt  describe  Kzekiel's  vision  of  the  inci-easinu'  i-iver  of 


■      138  A  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

salvatiou.  Scores  in  the  audience  were  crying  for  mercy 
ere  tLe  sermon  closed.  Similar  scenes  were  passing  in 
the  house  under  the  preaching  of  Murrell.  But  the  liap- 
piest  results  of  the  tmion  revival  "vvero  to  be  seen  in  the 
cliurches  revi^'td  and  the  persons  baptized  next  year. 

^;       .Fifth,   these  unions  cultivated  the  spirit  of  missions. 

/  Ihis  was  true  to  some  extent  prior  to  ISoO,  btit  since  the 
birth  of  the  Convention,  it  has  been  pre-eminently  true. 
The  brethren  meet  to  talk  over  the  missionary  plans  and 
lay  before  the  people  the  objects  of  tlie  Convention.  They 
do  not  raise  the  money,  but  they  cultivate  the  spirit  that 
gives  the  money.  We  clip  some  topics  from  various  union 
meetings:  "State  and  Foreign  ]\[is3ions,'''  "Cotmty  Mis- 
sions," "Shoitld  we  put  a  ^Missionary  to  Work  in  Jackson 
County  for  all  his  time,  and  can  we  Support  llim ''." 
'"Cidia  as  a  Mission  Field  for  Southern  Baptists,''  'Ts  the 
ries})onsibility  of  Christians  of  the  Prcsunt  Time  as 
Jiindin^■  as  in  tlie  JJays  of  tlie  A})0stks  to  Give  tlie  Gospel 
to  tlio  World  ■^"  '■"The  Orphanage — Its  ludation  to  the 
Church  and  Sunday  Schools."  How  deep  and  wide  tlic 
eifects  of  the  union  gatherings,  can  be  realized  only  by 
those  who  are  present  and  feel  and  see  their  beneficial 
results. 


IN   NORTH  CAROI.INA.  1 39 


CHAPTEE  XIX. 

XOKTII    CAKOLINA    BAPTISTS    AND    SUNDAY    SCHOOLS. 

Jiobert  Itaikes  collected  some  poor  and  ignorant  chil- 
dren from  tlic  streets  of  Grloucester,  England,  and  organ- 
ized them  into  a  little  school,  17S0.  It  was  called  a 
Sunday  School,  because  it  was  held  on  Sunday,  not  be- 
cause it  taught  the  Bible  as  we  do  now  in  Sunday  Schools. 
Kaikes'  chief  idea  was  to  give  these  children  the  rudiments 
of  an  English  education. 

About  the  beginning  of  the  nineteenth  century,  Sun- 
day Schools  began  to  be  organized  in  America,  the  first 
being  that  at  Pawtucket,  Phode  Island,  1S02.  Dr.  Bene- 
dict says  of  this  school,  ''I  foimd  a  quiet  little  company  of 
factory  children  under  the  care  of  tlie  village  school-mas- 
ter. ■''■■  "■  ■•'■  Tlie  main  object  of  this  puerile  seminary  was 
to  impart  the  rudiments  of  a  coiumon-scliool  educarion, 
but  from  tlie  day  on  which  it  was  kept  it  was  called  a  Sun- 
day Sc'liool.  This  iK'uevolent  uiulevtakiiig  was  s(,'t  in  mo- 
lion  ■"  ■'•■  ■•'■  by  the  late  Samuel  Slater  *  *  ••  for  tlie  benefit 
of  tlio  poor,  ignorant  and  neglected  children  who  gathered 
around  liis  mill.'"  I'hc  oldest  Baptist  Sunday  Scliool  in 
the  United  States  is  that  of  Broadway  Churcli,  Baltimore, 
'Md.     It  was  established  in  ISOI. 

N'orth  Carolina  was  not  far  behind  the  sistei"  States 
Xorth  in  ado]3ting  the  Sunday  School  system.  .Vt  the  Xe- 
hukee  Association,  1S27,  Sunday  Schools  Avere  bitterly 
denounced.  About  this  time  the  Ohowau  and  Sandy 
Creek,  with  a  few  others,  were  forming  Sunday  Scliools 
and  fratheriuG,'  the  children  into  them.     But  not  much  was 


140  A  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

(Juiii,'  prior  to  llu,'  oi'^auizalioii  of  the  (/ouvcnlitJii,  LSIJO. 
The  .ALclieri'iii  Clmrcli  formed  it.s  first  Smulay  ydiool  in 
lS3;j,  bcini;'  101-  years  old  before  it  called  together  the 
children  to  train  them  in  the  Word  of  God.  The;  early 
]ia])tists  ohjeet(:'d  10  the  Sniulay  Seho<jls  for  fear  of  their 
filling  the  ehnrclies  witli  unregenerate  memhers.  They  did 
riot  know  the  statisiies  which  show  that  the  vast  nnijority 
of  Christians  are  converted  between  the  ages  of  10  and 
20.  The  ri^cords  of  recent  years  show  that  S5  ])0i'  cent  of 
the  church  members  conu'  from  the  Snnday  School 
classes. 

At  liives'  ('haj)el,  \i^','>-2,  the  Snnday  School  work  of 
^Xoi'tli  Carolina  P>a])tists  permanently  began.  The  Con- 
vention especiadly  charged  its  '20  missionaries  to  ''organ- 
ize Snnday  Scbools."  Dr.  IJnfham,  in  his  flashing  ac- 
connt  of  this  Ctmveiition,  writes:  "S]K'cial  attention  was 
given  to  Snnday  Schools.''  "Mnch  nniy  be  made  of  a 
Scotchman,  if  he  be  can'^ht  young."  wrote  Samuel  -lohn- 
soii  years  ago.  So  thos;'  heroes  at  Ui\'cs'  Chapcd  tliouglit, 
''Mnch.nuiy  be  matle  of  a  North  Carolinian,  if  he  be 
canght  yonng."  James  Thonnis,  in  his  travels  for  the 
Conventio]!  in  1833,  assisted  in  organizing  five  Snnday 
Schools.  By  other  missiomiries  of  the  Board  tlie  same 
was  done,  and  so  the  work  was  jmshcd  until  a  large  nnm- 
ber  of  the  chnrches  maintained  Snndiiy  Schools.  »Sandy 
Creek  .\ssociation,  1R39,  recommemled  all  its  chnrches  '"'to 
organize  themselves  into  Sahbath  Scliools." 

On  moved  the  Snnday  School  work,  till  it  was  felt 
that  a  reformation  M'as  needed  in  the  methods  of  teaching, 
Tlie  first  organization  for  this  pnrpose  that  we  can  find 
was  in  the  Samh'  Creek  Association,  when  a  connnittee  was 


IN  NOR'J^H  CAROLINA.  I4I 

appointed  to  draft  a  "constitution  for  a  Sabbatli  School 
Society.''     Jjut  there  was  not  much  accomplished  by  "Sab-  - 
bath  School  Societies"  jjrior  to  the  Civil  War,  wliich  crip- 
pled all  such  enterprises. 

.lust  after  the  war  the  Sunday  School  and  Publication 
Jjoard  was  formed,  located  in  Kaleigh.  It  was  afterward 
put  under  tlie  direciion  ot"  John  E.  Ray,  whose  labors  for 
the  establishment  of  efhcient  Sunday  Schools  ^vill  never 
be  forgotten  in  North  Carolina.  In  1887,  Avhen  he  re- 
signed, the  Board  of  Sunday  Schools  was  merged  into 
the  Board  of  Missions,  giving  us  the  "Board  of  Missions 
and  Sunday  Schools."  Dr.  Durham  succeeded  brother 
Ray  as  Secretary  of  tliis  new  Board,  and  from  Currituck 
to  the  mountains  he  stii'red  the  churches  to  nobler  efi'orts 
for  the  Sunday  Schools,  as  well  as  for  missions.  Still,  at 
his  death,  1895,  532  churches  in  the  State  had  no  Sun- 
day Schools;  that  is,  40  ]X'r  cent  of  the  churches  were 
without   Sunday   Schools. 

Since  Durham's  death,  the  Board  has  deemed  the  Sun- 
day School  enterprise  of  sufficient  importance  to  put  a 
special  Sunday  School  missionary  into  the  field  to  canvass 
the  State  in  the  interest  of  Sunday  Scliools.  Rev.  B.  W. 
S})ilman  was  a])pointod  to  do  this  work.  lie  was  licensed 
by  Wcldon  Church  when  he  was  only  sixteen  years  of  age, 
and  at  once  entered  Wake  Forest,  where  ho  graduated  in  . 
1891.  He  was  a  ]^0])ular  s])eaker,  and,  having  made  the 
Sunday  School  woi'k  a  sj)ecialty,  has  elevated  its  standard 
throughout  the  State.  lie  has  now  been  called  to  do  a 
similar  work  for  the  Southern  Baptist  Convention. 

.Many  of  tlie  Associations  are  heginnina'  to  liold  Sunday 
Selioo]  Conventions  for  the  discussion  of  proper  methods 


142  A  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

ui  teac'liiiig-.  The  liea'lio  Union  devotes  ils  .siinnncr  ses- 
sion exclusively  to  Sunday  School  work.  There  are  in  tliG 
State  35  similar  Sunday  School  Conventions.  The  Board 
directed  Spilinan  also  to  "hold  Sunday  School  Institutes." 
These  are  normal  schools  for  the  training'  of  Sunday 
School  teachers,  in  188S,  Spihmiu  held  ^f  Sunday 
School  Institutes  in  various  parts  of  the  State. 

The  literature  of  Sunday  Schools  has  been  very  greatly 
improved  in  recent  years.  Porty  or  fifty  years  ago,  our 
fathers  and  juothers  studied  little  primers  with  stories 
about  (^ain  ami  Abel,  Closes,  Sampson,.  JJaniel,  etc. 
Sometimes  the  larger  ones  read  over  a  chapter  in  the  iSIcw 
Testament,  and  seldom  did  an  explanation  accompany 
the  reading.  But  in  late  years  the  American  Baptist 
Publication  Society,  and  later  still  the  Southern  Baptist 
Convention,  have  published  pajiers  with  lessons  graded  for 
all  ages.  These  arc  being  Avidely  and  successfully  used  in 
Sun(hiy  Schools  in  Nortli  (''ai'olina  to-thvy ;  54,;);51l  (piar- 
terlics  and  papers  were  used  in  BaptiAt  Sunday  Schools 
in  jSTorth   Carolimi   in   1S!)8.  \ 

Primary  departments  have  become  common,  and  are 
doing  a  vast  deal  of  good  in  making  lessons  attractive  to 
the  little  children.  The  first  Primarv  Teachers'  Meeting 
in  the  ^^'orld  was  hold  in  Newark,  IST.  J.,  Pebruarv,  1S70. 
The  first  Primary  Teachers'  Union  was  organized  in  Phil- 
adelphia, Pa.,  April,  1879.  A  .NFational  Primary  Union 
was  formed  in  1884,  and  an  International  Primary  Unk^n 
18SY.  These  primary  unions  are  composed  of  teacliers 
wlio  devote  themselves  to  teaching  childrcMi  1)et\v(wi  tlie 
ages  of  three  and  ten.  About  fifteen  years  ago  this  pri- 
nniry  movement  reached  N'orfh  Carolina.     In  numy  of  the 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  1 43 

elinrelies  si)e(;ia]  rooms  are  gi\'en  to  the  little  children. 
They  luive  their  teacher,  or  teachers,  their  own  nnips, 
charts  and  lesson  j^ictiires  (sometimes  an  organ  and  nni- 
sic  director).  The  inodel  Primary  Department  among  the 
Ba])tists  is  tliat  of  Broughton  at  the  Tabernacle  of  Tia- 
loigh.  .h]ve]i  some  of  our  conntry  clmrches  are  bnilding 
primary  rooms.  Tliere  are  two  or  three  in  the  West  Cho- 
w.an  Association. 

I'he  Ea])tist  Book  Store  is  nnder  the  auspices  of  the 
Sunday  School  Board.  It  was  opened  in  1881,  and  has 
proved  to  he  a  mi.^sionary  enterprise,  its  profits  going  to 
State   missionaries. 

Another  hlessed  influence  of  the  Sunday  Schools  is 
tlie  cultivation  of  benevolence  in  the  children.  Even 
the  smallest  child  is  taught  to  give  his  "penny."  The 
Sunday  School  has  ever  been  the  college  for  the  develop- 
ment of  the  s])irit  of  missions.  The  children  are  taught 
to  lliiuh  of  1]|('  los!  hoatlu'ii  children  in  Chimi,  Africa, 
Japan  and  P)ra/il,  and  tanghl  to  feel  it  their  duty  to  give, 
them  1I1C  Gospel  of  Christ.  Statistics  show  that  clmrches 
with  Sunday  Scliools  give  to  objects  of  1)enevolence  from 
two  to  fifteen  times  as  mucli  as  churches  of  tlie  same 
slrength,  Ijut  without  Sunday  Schools.  Also,  the  Sun- 
day Scliools  are  ihc  best  helpers  of  the  Orphanage,  and 
gave  to  all  objects,  1898,  $20,000. 

There  are  1,204  schools  in  the  Baptist  chui'ches  of  the 
sState,  with  7(),;]4-3  ]ni])ils  enrolled.  Xorth  Oarolimi  has 
122  Baptist  Sunday  Schools  more  than  any  other  State 
in  tlie  Union.  Yet  only  one  Association  (Atlantic)  has 
as  many  schools  ;is  cliu  relies ;  12  Associnlions  \\:wr  only 
cnedniif  as  many;  IG  have  only  two-thirds  as  numy;  only 


144  '^  HISTORY  OK  THE  BAPTISTS 

ouf  (Pifduiont)  has  more  Sunday  Scliools  than  churfhes. 
TluM'e  arc  3r,0,00i)  rhiklren  and  1,11;"), 000  adidts  in  the 
State  who  do  not  lio  to  Sundav  School  anywhere.  What 
a  worh  for  Sniuhu'  Schools  ! 


(^IIAPTEK  XX. 
rill-:   wEs'rKK.v   coNV^■:^'TTo^^ 

For  fifteen  years  the  State  Convention  stretched  from 
Cnrritnek  to  Cherokee,  but  in  IS-ll-  a  resulntion  \vas  passed 
advising'  the  organization  of  the  Westei'n  (\)nvention,  and 
so  the  next  vear,  Ati"'iist  ;lO,itwas  formed  at  Ijoilinii-  SnriniJ' 
(\i]n])  Ground,  Henderson  (\)nnty.  Delegates  were  pres- 
ent from  Salem,  rnckaseigee  and  \^alley  Kiver  Associa- 
tions. The  leatling  spirit  of  the  new  movenuMit  was  James 
lilyihc,  llemh-rspu  County,  a  nnin  i)o])ulai'  in  husiness 
and  politics  and  a  Huent  speaker.  IJut  aho\'e  ail  he  was 
a  nohle  repi'cscntative  of  (Christ  and  a  most  distingttished 
Bajjlist. 

Thomas  Stradley,  though  not  present  at  the  organiza- 
tion, was  for  several  years  one  of  the  most  promin.ent 
iignres  in  its  deliberations.  lie  and  liis  two  brothers, 
Peter  and  James,  had  coine  from  England  some  years  be- 
fore. Peter  lived  not  far  from  Hendersonvillc,  and  ^vas 
sui)erintendent  of  the  Baptist  Sunday  School  there.  He 
often  waded  through  the  slug'gish  v\^aters  of  Mud  Creek 
in  Hood  t(j  I'each  his  school.  He  was  ]iurc  in  his  life,  and 
died  at  a  <iOotl  old  a"e,  loved  and  honored  bv  all.  Jatnes 
settletl  in  Asheville,      Thonnis  purchased  the  farm  of  Gov- 


IN,  NORTH  CAROLINA.  1 45 

ernor  8\vnin,  five  miles  from  Aslicville.  This  is  a  lovely 
spot  ill  a  cove  of  the  mountains,  Avitli  Beaver  Creels  running 
t]j rough  tlie  farm.  Soon  after  coming  to  Asheville, 
''Father  Stradley'"  (thus  tlie  peo])le  learned  to  call 
']"liomas  Stradley)  felt  called  to  advance  the  Baptist  cause 
in  this  heautiful  town.  So  he  ]mrchased  a  lot  and  built 
ci  new  brick  editico,  becoming  jjersonally  responsible  for 
its  cost.  This  Iniilding  was  costly,  and  he  traveled  from 
Charleston  to  Xew  York  to  relieve  the  indebtedness.  As 
late  as  1S75,  the  Asheville  church  was  cumbered  with  debt, 
and  ''Father  Stradley"  resigned  and  witlidrew  altogether 
from  \]\e  ])a'stoi'ate. 

Dr.  John  Alitchell  succeeded  Thomas  Stradley  as  pas- 
tor in  Aslieville,  and  in  two  _years  the  cumbrous  debt  was 
a  thing  of  the  jiast.  Dr.  ]\[itche]l  has  a  peculiar  tact  in 
raising  money  and  causing  del)ts  to  vanish  at  the  touch  of 
liis  hand.  The  sun  of  prosperity  then  shone  more  l)rigiitly 
('U  llie  B>a])tist  cause  in  Asheville.  On  the  i-esignation 
of  i)r.  ]\ntcliell,  some  yeai-s  later.  Dr.  \V.  A.  .\elson  he- 
came  ])astor.  Soon  the  Baptists  thcn-e  felt  their  liouse  of 
Avorship  was  too  small,  and  so  the  old  property  was  sold  and 
Dr.  A\dson  led  tliem  into  tlio  nntguiiicent  edifice  in  wliicli 
tliey  worship  to-day.  The  French  Broad  was  built  and 
esta])lished  mainly  by  Dr.  J.  L.  Carroll,  who  was  distin- 
guished for  service  and  sacrifice,  lie  tlid  a  sj:)lendid  work 
in  Asheville  in  putting  the  French  Broad  on  a  i\vn\  footing 
of  growth  and   prosperity. 

Tlie  Baptists  of  the  Nvest  were  early  interested  in  edu- 
cation, and  founded  Jtuls(ui  College,  TIenderson\'ille, 
1S75,  erecting  a  sul)stanti!d  stone  building.  T]\c  iiisli- 
tute  Avas  well  patroniz(.'d  at  times,  but  debts  incurred  at 

10 


146  A  HISTORY  OF  THE   BAPTISTS 

buikling  cansed  it  finally  to  pass  out  of  the  bands  of  the 
I)a])tists.  ]\Iar5  Ilill,  18  miles  northeast  of  Asheville, 
was  more  successful.  This  school  has  enjoj-'cd  a  phe- 
nomenal prosjK'rit.y.  For  three  years  it  was  especially 
prosperous  under  tlie  leadei'ship  of  Thomas  ITufham  and 
John  K.  White.  It  is  now  under  the  nuinagement  of 
Rev.  J.  D.  i\[oore,  and  seems  to  have  a  great  future  be- 
fore it.  ]\Ioore  is  a  scholar  and  a  man  of  push.  The 
scliool  last  year  had  about  300  pupils. 

A     n.VPTlST    PAPER    IN^     THE    WEST. 

Karly  in  Us  history  the  Western  Convention  felt  that 
ii  ought  to  have  a  medium  of  communication  between  the 
cluirches,  and  so  the  Coitafje  VisUor,  published  by  X. 
Bowen,  w;is  started  at  Ilendersonville.  The  Visitor  not 
being  a  linaucia]  success,  went  down.  Some  years  later, 
]  )r.  Xi'Ison  and  J.  E.  Carter  undertook  the  publication  of 
llaptist  ))a])ers  at  different  times,  but  the}'  all  met  the 
^anie  fate.  In  1802,  Dr.  J.  A.  Speight  began  to  publish 
the  AshevlIIe  Bajjlist,  bur,  lilce  tlie  others,  it  was  doomed 
to  die.  Later  still,  the  Western  Nortli  Carolina  Baptist 
was  founded,  but  at  the  union  of  the  two  Conventions  it 
was  merged  into  the  Recorder,  So  the  old  Recorder  has 
crossed  the  Blue  Ridge  and  become  the  welcome  cottage 
visitor  in  hundreds  of  Baptist  homes  in  the  mountains. 
In  July,  1899,  the  Sk^^lmhd_j2£Lptist,  a  monthly,  was 
founded  at  Mars  Hill,  and  has  been  edited  by  W,  E.  Wil- 
kins,  T.  ]\I.  IToneycutt  and  E.  Allison. 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  1 47 

TirE     WEST     A     MISSION     EIELD. 

The  west  has  been  deemed  an  important  mission  field 
by  many  other  denominations.  The  Adventists,  Univer- 
salists  and  Mormons  have  done  much  damage  to  evangel- 
ical churches  in  the  west.  Particularly  dangerous  have 
been  the  ]\lormon  elders  sent  out  from  headquarters  at 
Salt  Lake  City,  Utah,  to  capture  this  beautiful  mountain 
region  for  ]Mormonism.  The  Baptists  might  have  taken 
this  lovely  section  if  at  first  they  had  "gone  up  to  possess 
tlie  land."  But  in  1898  there  were  only  257  churches  in 
the  Western  Convention,  with  a  membershij)  of  21, SCO. 
About  100  of  these  churches  had  no  Suiiday  Schools. 
Yet,  their  records  show  progress,  there  being  in  1808, 
1,213  baptisms  and  $20,000  spent  at  home  and  abroad. 

THE    ItE-UNIOX. 

In  1808  it  was  deemed  wise  by  the  ]3aptists  of  the  west 
to  return  to  the  Xortli  Carolina  State  Convention.  So  a 
committee^ — A.  I.  Justice,  W.  .M.  \'ines,  A.  B.  Suiith, 
W,  E.  Wilkins,  T.  Briglit — was  sent  to  Greeuville  by  the 
Baptists  of  the  west  to  seek  admission  into  the  State  Con- 
vention. These  representatives  were  welcomed  and  re- 
ceived as  delegates  of  the  State  Convention,  and  thus  the 
Baptists  of  the  east  and  the  west  are  united  into  one  great 
Convention. 

?s^EW     L'EAXS    FOK.    TUE    WEST. 

The  Convention  endorsed  the  western  brethren's  propo- 
sition that  the  latter  hold  annual  meetings  for  the  dis- 
cussion of  missions,  education  and  other  kindred  topics, 
in  order  to  stimulate  the  missionary  spirit  and  encourage 


148  A  HISTORY  OK  THE  15APTISTS 

cducniional  c'iik'rj)ri,s('.  Tlie  west  has  its  Assistant  Treas- 
urer, who  receives  funds  from  the  churches  and  Asso- 
ciations of  the  west  and  forwards  them  monthly  to  the 
State  Convention  Treasurer,  Raleigli,  j\\  C.  John  M. 
Stouer,  Aslieville,  was  elected  Assistant  Treasurer.  In 
IS'.iS  a  jnissionary  was  appointed  to  devote  all  his  time 
i(j  the  west.  Rev.  A.  E.  Brown  was  tlie  appointee  to 
this  new  field,  and  for  two  years  has  canvassed  the  Asso- 
ciations of  the  west,  orH,anizcd  new  Sunday  Schools, 
streiiutliened  old  ones,  and  c^'erywhere  aroused  the  spirit 
of  missiiius  and  Suuthiy  Scliools.  'J'hus  the  State  Board 
oi  North  Carolina,  with  help  from  the  Home  Board  of 
Atlanta,  has  planned  to  capture  the  hcautiful  west  for 
Clirist  and  nndvo  the  Carolina  "'Empire  of  the  West"  a 
part  of  "the  Icingxlom  of  our   Lord  and  His  Christ." 

The  Bajjtists,  however,  will  not  have  an  easy  time  to 
capture  this  lovely  country  for  the  denomination  and 
for  ("hi'isr.  The  Breshytei'ians  ha\'e  already  entered  the 
^leld.  They  luive  spent  nearly  $100,000  for  the  estah- 
lislnnent  of  schools  in  the  west,  and  are  spending  more 
each  year,  'i'he  wave  of  education  put  in  motion  by  the 
Baptists  must  be  followed  up  b}^  the  breezes  of  energy 
and  enthusiasm  along  the  lines.  ]\rars  Hill  must  he  made 
still  greatei-,  and  new  liigh  schools  must  be  built  in  every 
Association  to  hasten  the  coming  of  flie  kingdom  of  heaven 
in  that  lovely  "Land  of  the  Sky." 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  I  49 

CHAPTER  XXI. 

BAPTIST    Ol^PirANAGE    AT    TJIO.MASVILLE. 

Clironologieally,  \ve  anticipate  oiiraelves  a  little  in  tak- 
ing lip  this  institnticin  at  this  ])oiiit,  Imt  for  logical  con- 
\enic-nce  we  now  consider  the  (Jrplianage.  It  was  a  Bap- 
tist who  first  dreamed  of  bnilding  in  Xortli  Carolina  an 
institution  where  fatherless  and  motherless  children  might 
be  fed,  clothed  and  edncated.  Tliis  was  none  other  than 
J.  H.  ^lills,  so  popularly  known  as  '-Jack  Mills."  While 
President  of  the  Pemale  College,  Oxford,  X.  C,  he  Ik- 
gan  to  dream  of  this  institntion  of  charity  and  ])hihin- 
thropy.  He  founded  the  Or]jhanage  at  Oxford  in  1872. 
As  -Manager,1ie  skillfully  aj^plied  the  money  ])ut  in  his 
hands  for  this  Asylum.  Though  the  State  had  not  hegmi 
this  philanthropic  enterprise,  she  opened  her  heart  and 
hands  and  gave  of  tlie  people's  money  to  care  for  the  peo- 
ple's hel]dess  children. 

Put  soon  a  storin  struck  this  institution,'  started  under 
the  auspices  of  the  ]\[asonic  Lodge  of  Xorth  (^arolina. 
Soon  it  happened  that  men  of  one  particular  denomination 
seemed  preferred  on  the  Board,  and  after  a  little  while  this 
denomination  had  a  majority  on  the  Board,  M'hich  made  it 
look  like  a  sectarian  asylum.  The  Baptists,  heing  the  State's 
greatest  tax-payers,  thought  they  ought  to  have  a  voice 
in  the  management  of  an  asylum  supported  so  liherally 
by  the'  State's  money.  This  condition  of  affairs  led  the 
Baptists  to  originate  the  Baptist  Orphanage  at  Thomas- 
ville. 

Some  Baptists,  liowever,  being  conservative,  in  Paleigh, 
1SS4,  opposed  the  resolution  to  commit  tlie  Convention  to 


150  A  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

rlie  establi.sliiiiciit  and  ,siip|joi't  of  a  Baptist  Orphan  ago. 
'J'lici'c  was  a  s}jirited  debate,  but  no  harshness.  So  tho 
friends  withdrew  the  resohition  and  organized  a  Bap- 
tist Orphanage  Assoeiation  to  establish  a  Baptist  Or- 
plmnagc.  Two  coniinittees  were  ap])ointed  at  onee,  one 
to  seleet  a  site,  the  other  to  ol>tain  a  eliarter. 

LOCATION    AISTD     CHARTER. 

The  Connnittee  on  Location,  before  the  end  of  1S84, 
selected  a  lovely  farm  near  Thomasville  as  the  site  of 
the  Orphanage.  It  is  on  the  Sonthern  luiilroad,  '22  miles 
from  Greensboro  and  102  miles  from  Baleigh.  The  soil 
of  the  farm  is  of  moderate  fertility,  and  by  use  of  ferti- 
lizers bountiful  crops  of  wheat,  corn,  yjease  and  garden 
vegetables  are  made.  Loveliest  streams  of  pnrest  water 
run  through  these  grounds,  and  s])arkling  springs  of  drink- 
ing water  are  found. 

^  In  January,  1885,  the  Oouunittee  on  Oharter  secured 
from  the  Legislature  a  clurrter  for  '"'TJie  Xorlh  Oaroliua 
Baptist  Orphanage  Association,"  which  in  a  few  years 
was  changed  foi-  "'The  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Thomas- 
ville  Orphanage."  This  Board  consists  of  IS  members, 
with  poAvers  of  self-per]ietuation. 

OPK.XIXO   OF  THE  ORrilA^'AGE. 

The  first  of  the  year  1885  being  spent  in  erecting  the 
little  brick  buildings,  ])y  the  fall  the  doors  of  the  Orphan- 
age were  thrown  open,  and  on  j^Tovembcr  11  the  first 
OTjilian's  name  was  registered  on  tho  Thomasvillo  roll. 
Tho  Hrst  report  on  the  Orphanage  Avas  made  to  the  (.Con- 
vention in  Beidsville,  1885,   and  at  once  Baptist  hands 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  I5I 

and  hearts  were  opened  to  support  the  Thomasville  Or- 
phanage. 

MAiSTAGEMEA^T   UNDEE    J.    H.    MILES. 

Of  course  the  man  who  first  conceired  the  glorious  work 
and  ■who  was  wise  enough  to  have  his  dreams  ciystalized 
into  l)rick  l)uiklings  and  a  real  institution,  must  be  tlie 
man  to  manage  it.  He  had  given  his  heart,  his  soul  and 
his  thoughts  entirely  to  this  noble,  philanthropic  cause. 
j\Iore  than  this,  he  had  actually  run  an  Orphanage  before, 
that  at  Oxford,  and  by  experience  was  acquainted  with 
tlie  work.  Xature,  too,  had  qualified  him  for  training 
and  managing  little  children.  She  had  given  him  a  com-- 
manding  presence  and  a  controlling  M'ill ;  but,  better  still, 
a  big  and  loving  heart.  He  scarcely  ever  talked  of  orplianji 
v/ithout  the  teai-s  stealing  to  liis  eyes.  Tie  guided  the 
Orphanage  onward  to  higher  and  broader  success  till  1S95. 
Over  400  orphans  were  fed,  clothed  and  fitted  for  life  by 
this  noble  servant  of  God.  Tliongh  having  retired  froni 
the  Orphanage  to  his  little  farm  four  miles  away,  stiJl 
his  heart  beat  for  the  orphan  children,  and  his  prayers 
rose  to  heaven  that  God  would  be  the  Father  of  the  father- 
less. In  December,  1898,  he  quietly  passed  away  to  Him 
Avho  loved  the  little  children  so  well  as  to  say,  "''Suffer  little 
children  to  come  unto  ~Mo.,  and  forbid  them  not." 

THE  D0Jt:MITOrjES. 

^  There  were  five  little  Jn'ick_cottages  completed  at  an 
early  date  for  the  children's  homes,  Eacli  of  these  cot- 
tages contains  a  family,  with  its  matron  at  the  head  of  the 
domestic  department,  and  its  teacher  to  train  the  chiklron. 


152  A  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

T1r'>(.'  cuttaiies  were  biiik  liiriich'  b\'  [)riv;ite  L'ijiiti'il,)\uions. 
There  is  the  Bigu's  Iluiisc^  the  ^Mitchell  ILou.^e,  the  Dur- 
ham Itoiise,  etc.  Xoah  Ijiiig's,  of  Scothiiid  Xeck,  Dr. 
Fleming,  Dr.  John  ]\Iitchell  and  J.  L.  ]\Iarkham  werb 
notal)le  eontrihntors  in  tlio  erection  of  tliese  huiMings. 

THE   IXriR^vIAtlY. 

This  is  a -separate  brick  buildirig  especially  furnished 
for  the  care  of  the  sick  children.  Here  they  are  cared 
for  by  gentle  hands,  and  medical  attention  is  given. 

CIIAPJTY  AXD  CiriLt)i;EX. 

This  paper  Avas  started  liy  Mr.  .Mills,  and  ever  since 
has  beeni  published  in  the  interest  of  th.e  Orphanage.  Its 
printing  work  is  all  done  by  the  larger  boys.  Some  of 
the  or])han  boys  have  learned  to  be  good  and  pros])erous 
printers  in  after  life,  ddie  Orphanage  has  its  ON\'n  print- 
ing [)rcss,  at  first  a  small  oiie,  l')ut  now  a  large  one.  u'iven 
largely  liy  Dr.  Fiiiuiug.  The  prolits  of  the  papei'  are 
appropriated  to  the  general  Orphanage  Avork.  The  paper 
is  now  the  weekly  A'isiror  of  5,000  homes,  and  its  columns 
are  ravenously  read  by  mothers,  fathers  and  children 
throughout  the  State. 

In  IS'JG  the  Trustees  elected  Archibald  Johnson  as  edi- 
1or  of  Cnarlhi  and  Children,  to  devote  his  time  exclusively 
lo  the  paper,      lie  has  run  the  circtilation  up  to  over  5,000. 

XA'rUEE   OF   TRAIXTXG   AT    TTtO.MASVTT.LI-:. 

The  Trustees  are  careful  to  elect  instructors  of  the  best 
character  and  of  the  finest  teaching  ability,  ■  .V  good  kuig- 
lish  education  is  the  goal  of  the  class-room  work;  besides, 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  I53 

The  girls  are  taught  to  cook,  sew,  make  beds,  sweep,  and 
do  general  domestic  work.  The  boys  are  taught  to  cnlti- 
vatc  the  farm,  the  arts  of  printing,  engineering,  etc. 

But  the  religious  element  is  not  forgotten  in  training 
these  little  ones  for  life.  They  have  daily  services  in  the 
^chajjcl,  and  on  Sunday  the  children  assemble  to  lieai 
preaching.  0.  A.  G.  Thomas  is  now  pastor  of  the  or^jhan 
church.  The  spiritual  condition  has  always  l)ccni  good 
a1  Thomasville,  and  many  sweet  revivals  have  marked  its 
fifteen  years  of  history.  Hundreds  of  children  have 
been  baptized,  and  are  ])roving  to  be  consecrated  Chris- 
tians. 

a[a>;age:\le.vt  unt)Er  eev.  j.  b.  nooxE. 

In  I'SUu  the  Trustees  decided  to  elect  a  new  Alanager, 
IlCv.  J.  B.  Boone.  ^Mr.  Mills  had  don(}  a  great  work  in 
these  ten  years,  and  had  demonstrated  the  permanency  of 
the  Ba]itist  Orphanage.  But  there  seemed  to  be  a  still 
grcaici-  work  for  the  Orphanage,  and  a  new  man  was 
thought  l)ctter   fitted   for  tliis  \V(U'k  of  cxiiaiisioii. 

In  lSi)0,  the  I'rustees  decided  to  build  tlie  Central 
School  Building,  which,  with  its  equipments,  cost  $G,000. 
It  was  finished  and  opened  on  June  7,  1897,  and  is  the 
pride  of  the  children  and  of  the  Baptists  of  the  State. 

In  1897  a  committee  recommended  to  the  Convention 
that  a  suitable  home  be  erected  for  the  General  ]\raiiagor. ' 
A  beautiful  and  commodious  residence  was  completed  in 
1S98,  at  a  cost  of  $2,000,  and  ^Yas  paid  for  by  the  close 
of  1899. 

In  1898  it  was  felt  that  another  building  should  be 
added  to  the  lufinnary.  This  was  finished  in  1899  with 
]noney  bequeathed  to  the  Orphanage  by  the  late  Dr.  Jl.  D, 


154  A  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

Fk'iiiing.      This  buililinii'  will  stand  as  a  speaking  monu- 
nicnt  of  the  nnsclfish  man  \\'ho  gave  it. 

MILLS  ^lEirOlUAL. 

''■  In  July,  ISOO,  the  Trustees  decided  to  erect  a  ]\Ia- 
chinery  IJuilding  for  tlie  lioys  to  learn  trades.  It  was 
called  the  j\I.ills  Memorial  ]\Iachine  Shops,  and  was  com- 
pleted by  the  close  of  1900.  In  this  year  (1900),  at 
Raleigh,  the  Convention  raised  $2,200  for  a  system  of 
water-works  and  sewerage. 

INFLUENCE  OF  THE  ORPHANAGE. 

"Jack  Mills"  was  the  father  of  orphan  work  in  Xorth 
Carolina.  Other  denominations  in  the  State  have  fol- 
lowed his  illustrious  example.  The  Presbyterians  have 
their  Orphanage  at  Barium  Springs,  the  Methodists  and 
Catholics  have  theirs  both  in  Raleigh,  ^'ot  only  this. 
Iiut  tlic  spark  of  asylum  work  luis  since  been  struck  in 
the  hearts  of  Christian  workers  beyond  our  State  line. 
iCow  Vii'ginia  and  So\nh  Carolina  can  boast  of  their  asy- 
lums for  fatherless  childreiL  How  great  the  wovk  com- 
menced by  ]\lills  will  never  be  known  on  earth.  His  famo 
will  live  as  long  as  orphans  are  left  on  earth  in  need  of 
friends  to  love  and  lead  them.  AVell  might  Dr.  Iluflian' 
eloquently  say:  "If  there  is  one  place  over  which  God  and 
His  angels  hover  to  guide  and  guard,  it  is  the  hill  Avhero 
our  homeless  children  have  found  a  haven." 


PART   111— PERIOD   OF   EXPANSION. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

TJIE  DAYS  OF  DARKNESS. 

We  consider  the  Civil  War  the  dividing  line  between  the 
periods  of  organization  and  of  expansion,  thus  making  the 
last  thirty-five  years  the  happy  years  of  expansion,  in 
which  the  denomination  has  strengthened  its  stakes  and 
stretched  its  cords.  But  ere  we  begin  to  tell  the  daring- 
deeds  of  lieroism  and  the  brilliant  scenes  of  progress,  we 
inust  stop  to  paint  the  days  of  darkness  and  of  dread  as 
a  suitable  background  from  which  to  view  the  brighter 
scenes  of  broader  expansion. 

When  Abraham  Lincoln  was  elected  President  in  the  ^ 
fall  of  ISdO,  the  sun  never  shone  on  bi'ighter  ])ros])Octs  for 
the  Tja])tists  of  Xorth  Carolina.  In  all  llic  State  sweet 
harmony,  like  the  rich  perfume  of  Arabia,  pervaded  the 
air.  vXearly  thirty  Associations  liad  been  organized,  the 
Convention  had  far  exceeded  the  most  sanguine  liopes  of 
^Vait,  Meredith,  iVrmstrong,  IIoo])er,  etc.  At  the  session  of 
1850,  Kaleigh,  it  had  overleaped  itself  in  strides  of  prog- 
ress. Besides  its  regular  work  of  State  and  foreign  mis- 
sions, $2-5,000  had  been  raised  for  the  permanent  endow- 
ment of  Wake  Forest  College,  By  Dr.  John  Mitchell 
and  others  these  subscriptions  had  been  raised.  Dr.  Win- 
gate  was  the  honored  President  of  the  College  in  these 
sunny  da3''S  of  prosperity.  Murfreesboro  Institute,  under 
Drs.  Hooper  and  ]\rcDowell  had  recorded  eleven  years  of 
prosperous  history,  Oxford  Female  College, under  the  lead- 


156  A   IIISTORV  OF  TIIK  BAPTISTS 

ei'bliip  of  J.  11.  3,lill^,  wus  receiving  a  large  pairouage. 
liigh  s('li(ji.)ls  wore  springing  np  in  vai'io\is  parts  of  the 
State.  'J'lie  Jjlhllcal  llcconlcr,  under  i)r.  J.  J.  Janie^, 
Lad  helped  tu  weld  the  hearts  of  the  Laptists  from  sealjoard 
U)  in(juni;iin-;,  and  ])ru^'ed  itself  a  niigliiy  educator  of  the 
])eople. 

In  iJaleigh,  Wilmington,  Fa\'etteville,  Greeusboro, 
Chaidotte,  Asheville,  Elizahoth  C^itv,  Edont<:»n,  Xew  Bern, 
Goklshoro,  Hertford,  Green\'ille,  and  throughout  the  State, 
the  denomination's  sky  Avas  hright  and  ]U'omised  sunny 
days  of  fairer  sueeoss. 

tut:   cn'n.    WAi;. 

When  South  Carolina  and  the  sister  States  of  the 
"Sunn}'  South"  stejiped  out  c»f  the  Union  Xo  form  the 
Confederacy,  the'  (Ud  Xoi'th  State,  who  had  been  ever 
brave  in  batth^  and  loyal  in  peace,  seceded  from  the  [Jniori 
and  faccMi  rlie  ha/.ardons  scenes  of  a  ( 'ivil  War.  ?\'orth 
("aroliua  furnished  the  lirst  Ijlood  that  was  slied  in  this 
war,  and  gave  more  meu  to  the  ranks  of  Lee  and  .Jackson, 
Beauregard  and  Johnston,  than  any  other  State  in  "^Dixie 
Land.''  ]\Iany  of  jSTorth  Carolina's  truest  preachers  were 
chajdaius  in  Confederate  lines.  Among  the  Baptist  cha]/- 
lains  uniy  be  mentioned  William  Tvoyall,  X.  B.  Cobb, 
W.  R.  G\\'altuey,  and  nnany  others,  who  left  their  ^vork  at 
home  and  went  to  tlie  front  to  soothe  the  wounded  and 
dying  in  camp  and  on  field. 

'       DrSCOKD    ALO.\C;     THE     LtXKS. 

But  ]uauy  hearts  in  our  State  still  beat  in  sympathy 
M'ith  the  Union.  So  among  tlie  Baptists  many  church 
members  did  not  believe  in  secession.      This  created  dis- 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  I57 

coril  at  liODio.  In  tlie  west  tlio  animosity  bet^vecn  Uuion 
and  Confcdei'ate  cliiireh  members  rose-  to  tlie  highest 
pitch.  In  Aslic,  Alleghany,  Caldwell,  Wilkes  and  Wa- 
tauga counties  the  Union  mcmbei's  in  many  churches,  be- 
ing in  the  majority,  even  organized  tliree  separate  Asso- 
ciations in  sym]ialiiy  with  the  ]Srorth.  In  such  cases  tlie 
Southern  sympathizers  had  to  withdraw.  AVhere  tlie  Union- 
ists were  in  the  ]uinority,  in  few  instances,  they  were  com- 
])clled  to  form  separate  churches.  The  churches  in  the 
east  did  not  suffer  so  inucli  from  Civil  War  feud. 

COLLEGE   CLOSEJ). 

iVlthongh  t]\v.  College  had  placed  itself  in  the  front 
r;ink  of  higher  educational  institutions  in  the  State,  its 
(looi's  wore  closed  by  the  bloody  hands  of  the  Civil  War. 
Ilie  old  bell  that  had  called  so  many  sturdy  and  andjitious 
])()ys  to  morning  prayers  and  recitation  rooms  was  hushed 
and  hung  in  silence,  while  tlie  air  was  rent  with  the  ]-oar- 
ing  cannon  and  smoking  mnskels.  I'oo  many  oi'  our  Bap- 
tist boys  had  gone  to  join  the  ranks  of  Lee  and  Jackson  to 
]neet  the  honored  W'^ingate,  the  accomplished  Simmons, 
and  the  noble  Roy  a  lis,  at  Wake  Forest.  The  Univer- 
sity, having  all  classes  from  wjiich  to  draw  its  patronage, 
kcj)t  open  its  doors,  but  the  enrollment  was  small  and  the 
work  unsatisfactory.  How  dark  the  night  when  clouds 
shut  out  the  moon  and  stars!  So,  hoAv  dark  the  night  of 
Baptist  churches  when  the  Civil  War  shut  up  the  College 
and  academies  and  stopjied  the  shining  of  education's 
luminous  lara])s ! 

nXANCTAL    DISTRESS. 

After  the  slaughter  at  Gettysburg,  July,  1SG3,  which 
cut  down  30,000  of  the  South's  bravest  men,  the  star  of 


158  A  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

the  Confederacy  began  to  wane  and  the  hopes  of  "Dixie's" 
men  went  out  to  shine  no  more.  Tlio  world  saw  that  tho 
crisis  of  the  war  had  been  reached,  and  so  lost  confidence  in 
the  stability  of  the  Confederacy.  This  meant  the  deprecia- 
tion of  Confederate  money,  yea,  tlie  ruin  of  Southern 
cnrrency.  The  price  of  corn,  Hour,  ])ork,  shoes,  hats 
and  clothes  at  once  advanced,  so  as  to  put  them  beyond 
tho  reach  of  tlie  poorer  classes.  .  This  drew  the  wolf  of 
want  to  hundreds  of  unhappy  homes  in  iSTorth  Carolina. 
The  father,  the  husband,  the  brothers  and  sons  were,  off 
to  fight  their  country's  battles,  while  brave  motliers,  wives, 
sisters  and  daughters  were  at  home,  driving  back  the  wolf 
of  want.  Oh,  how  could  the  people  think  of  giving  the 
bread  of  heaven  to  others  when  all  their  efforts  could  not 
fill  the  empty  mouths  of  little  ones  at  home! 

CAIU'ET-BAGGERS  AND  CGXFUSIOISr  IN  OUR  EANKS. 

On  .'V])ril  9,  1SG5,  our  loved  and  lionored  Lee  laid  down 
his  arms  to  General  Grant.  Bcfoi'e  the  close  of  tho  month, 
Johnston  surrendered.  Our  soldiers  then  came  home  to 
rebuild  their  fallen  fortunes.  But  what  a  gloomy  time 
il  was  in  i>[orth  Carolina,  when  soldiers  returned  to 
dilapidated  farms  and  destitute  families,  to  deitiolished 
homes  and  devastated  fields !  How  much  better  it  would 
have  been  if  the  strong  liand  of  good  government  had 
been  extended  to  help  recover  the  blighted  State !  >  But, 
instead  of  this,  our  beloved  and  bleeding"  State  was  cursed 
with  the  cruelty  of  the  carpet-baggers.  Men  wlio  did  not 
love  the  State,  or  care  for  her  suffering  citizens,  held  the 
I'oins  of  government  and  drove  the  people  on  to  destitu- 
tion and  despair.     It  was  not  till  18G8  that  ITorth  Caro- 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  I59 

liiui  sliook  ofi'  Uiis  blighting  reign  of  terror  and  once  more 
Avas  recognized  as  a  member  of  the  Union.  Of  conrse 
tliere  could  be  no  progress  in  religions  work  while  war 
v/as  cursing  the  State  and  its  consequences  blasting  it. 
The  I">aptist  State  Mission  Board  had  been  reorganized  in 
18 GO,  but  the  war  had  handicapped  tliis  Board.  ]^o  new 
missionaries  had  been  sent  out  while  the  sky  was  red  ^vith 
the  tires  of  war.  Not  a  single  Association  was  organized  ^ 
between  18(]0  and  1870.  For  eight  years,  in  reality,  the 
whole  State  was  bleeding  in  the  throes  of  civil  war.  Its 
industries  ^^■ere  crippled  and  its  citizens  crushed.  So  the 
churches,  receiving  the  touch  of  the  general  confusion, 
jnade  no  progress,  iialeigh,  Wilmington,  Elizabeth  City, 
Edenton,  Goldshoro,  New  Bern,  and  othei'  leading 
churches,  had  scarcely  held  their  own,  while  man} 
churches  had  retrograded,  and  some  had  even  disinte- 
grated in  the  civil  feud. 

CLOUDS     DISAPPEAR. 

The  State  Convention  of  18GG,  Baleigh,  made  desperate 
etl'orts  to  recover  the  lost  ground,  but  it  was  not  till  1S70, 
at  the  Convention,  likewise  held  in  Baleigh,  that  new  life 
sprang  up  in  the  denomination  and  put  in  operation  the 
modern  movements  for  tlie  evangelization  of  tlie  State. 
v-This  year  the  ISlt.  Zion  Association  was  organized,  and 
the  State  Board  was  re-organized  with  <J.  D.  Ilufham  as 
Corresponding  Secretary.  The  old  College  bell  had  again 
begun  to  ring  in  IS  Go,  and  students  soon  began  to-  pour 
in  from  Baptist  homos.  Thus  the  clouds  were  passing 
from  the  sky,  tlic  night  of  chaos  and  glooin  was  ended,  and 
the   brighter   day   of   prosperity   M'as   dawning   upon    the 


l6o  A   HISTORY  OF  THK   IJAPTISTS 

Baj)ti.st.s  oi'  A'mali  (\ii'oliu:i.  it  is  now  oiii'  plcnsant  task 
to  note  tJio  bruadLi'  jilaus  and  lead  uiir  readers  itiLu  tlio 
liglit  oi'  belter  days  of  Nurlli  ('aroliiia  Baptists  history. 


CIIAPTEIl  XXIII. 

THE   COLOEED  liAPTlST.S. 

'^'  By  the  issues  of  the  Civil  War,  tlio  Southern  slaves 
beeanie  free  and  citizens.^  aVlany  of  them  were  Baptists 
before  tlie  war,  and  ^vorshipped  with  their  masters.  The 
rclatioii  between  many  masters  and  servants  vv'as  pleasant 
as  to  religions  privileges.  The  slaves  before  the  war 
used  to  meet  iind  ha\'e  their  own  services  occasionally,  ^vhen 
a  preacher  of  their  own  color  dispensed  the  Word.  But 
tlie  cluirches  of  the  whites  nearly  always  had  galleries  in 
whieh  tlie  negroes  worshipped  with  their  masters,  heard 
the  same  sermons  and  joined  in  singing  the  san.ie  hynms 
(d  ])raise.  Lhit  when  the  colored  ])eO[)le  lux-ame  free, 
they  began  to  organize  and  build  their  own  chnrches.  I'or 
tlie  folloAving  sl<('tch  we  are  indebted  to  l\cv.  C,  S.  Brown, 
Principal  of  the  Waters  Xormal  Institute,  Winton,  X.  C, 

EAItLV    TIISTOIIY, 

'The  colfu'ed  Hnptisls  oi  Xorth  Carolina  liave  nnidc 
almost  phenomenal  progress  in  ])oint  of  niindjors,  erection 
of  ehnreh  I'diliees  and  edncarion/-^T)e1ini(e  facts,  ho\\'eve]', 
conciu-ning  ihe  anto-bellum  hisUu'y  of  the  colored  Bap- 
lis(s  ean  not  be  easily  secui'cd;  but  we  know  enongli  to 
sssert  there  W(M'e  among  them  only  a  ioAX  orga^iizcd 
chnrches  inde])endent  of  wdiito  chnrches.      In  very  early 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  l6l 

tinios,  slaves  were  permitted  and  eucouraged  Uj  cuiinect 
tlic'iuselves  witli  die  white  cliurclics.  Speeial  services  wero 
oi'teii  held  on  tlie  hirge  phmtations  for  tlie  sLivcs,  and 
many  ghadly  aecejjtcd  the  oU'er  of  salvation.  In  the  larger 
towns  and  cities,  as  circumstances  allowed,  meetings  were 
held  for  the  colored  people  under  tlie  eye  of  a  white  man, 
and,  in  a  few  instances,  separate  churches  were  formed 
under  more  or  less  restrictions.  It  is  remarkabli;  how 
readily  tliey  accepted  the  Gospel  and  our  simple  Baptist 
faith.  In  a  few  instances  larger  liberties  were  gi'anted, 
and  a  few  colored  men  were  allo^ved  to  preach. 

Interesting  may  be  a  brief  sketch  of  the  life  of  Eev. 
Harry  Cowsm,  Salisbuiy,  iSF.  C,  the  oldest  Baptist 
prcaclier,  as  told  by  himself: 

"I  was  l:)orn  in  Davie  County,  January  20,  ISIO,  was 
converted  in  1S25,  licensed  to  preach  in  1S2S,  and  ordained 
eighitec']!  months  later  l:)y  Plev.  IIarr^\'  i-^uwca-.-^. 

"In  1S'!0-'-"j1,  1  oriianized  5  churches,  0  in  Rdwau  and 
2  in  J^iivld.son  Count}'.  Considerable;  lilxTty  was  gi'anted 
me  by  my  master,  Tliomas  B,  Cov/an,  to  ]u\'acli  rhc  (los- 
jjel,  luit  NTa.f.  Turner's  insurrection  ])i'acrically  sus])cn(lod 
the  work  for  tliiriy  years.  I  was  tliereafrer  rcstricrt'd  to 
hold  religious  services,  as  opportunity  allowed,  within 
a  radius  of  40  ifiiles  of  Salisbury,  ^fy  subsequent  owner, 
Joel  Jenkins,  son-in-law  of  niy  fornu-i'  master,  o])pr)S(^d  my 
])re-:!chiiig,  and  r>vd(>vc'd  tlic  patrols  !n  ai'i-csf  ;nid  |)niti-.]i 
me;  but  God,  on  many  ocea'^ions,  brmiglil  almost  miracu- 
lons  dtdi\'crancc  f"u  mc.  .My  (dd  master,  coiiviiu'ed  of  my 
divine  call  to  tlio  ministry,  gave,  me  a  boi-se,  saddle  and 
bridle  to  be  used  on  my  tours.  His  overseer  was  liostile 
to  me,  mocked  my  Ijaptizings,  clubbed  me,  and  fed  me  on 
.    11 


I  62  A  HISTORY  OF  Tliii;  BAPTISTS 

liall'  rations.  Ilo  was,  however,  forced  to  beg  my  pardon 
i;1k1  dismissed  i'rum  service.  ]\[y  3'ouiig  master  was  con- 
verted in  one  of  my  meetings,  and  tliereafter  freqnently 
attended  our  services,  and  related  this  experience  on  iiis 
deathdied,  \A'^ediiesday  bef(n'e  Jolm  Brown  ^vas  hung  at 
Harper's    Ferry. 

'''After  the  war  the  cohjrcd   Baptists  rapidly  ^vithdrcw 
from  white  elmrehes  and  organized  independent  bodies.V" 
1   have  oi'ii'anized,  er  assisteil  in  organizing,  37  chnrches, 
bapli/.e([  over  UoUU  converts,  preached  1,000  funerals,  and 
nnirried  an  equaf  numl)er  of  ])ersons." 

It  is  said  that  Thonnis  Ijlackwell,  previons  to  Xat. 
Tui-ner's  insurrection,  bought  his  freedom  that  he  might 
gi\-e  Ills  life  i(j  ])reaching  U>  his  In'othren  in  bondage;  bu.t, 
ilusheij  wiih  temporal  success,  lie  bought  a  nnmber  of 
slaves  td  serve  him.  Pleasant  Plains  Church,  Hertford 
Cnuuty,  c(im])(ised  cmtirely  of  free  negroes,  was  organized 
ill  l^o-}. 

^The  jicriod  Immediately  after  ilie  war  marks  an  im- 
pm'lani  ei'xicli  in  their  liisi,ory/r^  Plie  work  of  constructien 
and  reconstruction  was  pursued  with  vigor,  and  colored 
ministers,  though  weak  and  iucHicient,  aided  by  white 
fi'iends,  worked  better  than  tiiey  knew.--^Association  ;ifter 
A'ssociation  was  organized  in  vaivious  parts  of  the  State. 
The  Roanoke  Association,  organized  in  1S()5,  on  Koanokc 
Island,  by  Pev.  I'hnmanuel  Peyntdcis  and  others,  was  ]u'o;)- 
ably  the  oldest  colored  Association  in  the  State. 

The  Paptist  State  Convention  was  organizc-d  in  18(50, 
Pevs.  1^.  E.  Iktgles,  ,T.  IF.  AVashingtou,  Z.  Ilorlon,  Caesar 
Johnson,  T.  Parker,  S.  ]\1.  Jones,  II.  Cowan  and  L.  AV. 
Pocme  participating,     The-se  men  a]:)pointed  themselves  to 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  163 

do  luissionary  work  tlirougliout  the  State,  and  their  work 
M'ill  never  be  fully  known.  Crude  log  churches,  and  not 
infrequently  bush  arbors,  were  the  tabernacles  where  they 
met  and  called  the  people  together  to  offer  service  to  the 
Most  High.  These  pioneers,  however,  were  unlettered 
ruen,  could  scarcely  read  a  single  line  intelligently,  and 
were  almost  entirely  dependent  on  the  Holy  Spirit  for 
inspiration  and  mental  illumination.  And  yet  some  of 
them  were  remarkable  men.  Tliose  who  had  the  good  for- 
tune to  hear  L.  W.  Boone  preach,  both  Avhit-e  and  colored, 
testify  that  he  possessed  a  gift  of  oratory  and  mental  abil- 
ity sehlom  excelled  by  men  of  the  best  opportunities. 

I  State  mission  woi'k  was  for  years  but  tVe])ly  done.yOne 
missionaiw,  j^artly  s\i])])orted  by  the  iVmerican  Baptist 
Home  ]\Iission  Society,  kept  preaching  the  Gospel  from 
place  to  place ;  by  a  similar  arrangement  with  the  Ameri- 
ciiii  Pfiiplist  Publication  Society  ;i  State  Sunday  School 
missionary   was  employed. 

,  ■   ('()-()!M';K*A'ri().\. 

''  Hilt  in  ISiif)  a  new  order  of  work  was  inti'odnced,  styled 
(V)-o])('ratioii,  M'hicli  setnircd  the  hel])  of  the  A'orthern  and 
the  Southern  white  Baptists  in  the  em])loyment  of  mis- 
sionaries among  the  colored  people. ''  Four  men  have  since 
i\o\)v  the  work  which  one  man  did  before.  This  system  lias 
dop.o  iiKH'e  to  de\'el()j)  (lie  strenglli  of  (be  colm'ed  l)ai)lists 
than  any  other  mo^'elnent  inangnrated. 

SCHOOLS  I'-ouxnion. 

^      Immediately   after  the  ce.ssation  of  hostilities  between 
the  lYorth  and  the  South, 'IrTeury  M,  Tupper,  a  ^Northern 


164  A  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 

missionary,  came  to  Jtaleigii  and  began  an  eJncational 
\\'urk,  ISGj,  which  lias  grown  into  Shaw  Univorsity/^ie 
best-known  colored  school  in  the  State.  The  influence  of 
this  great  institution  lias  been  felt  iu  almost  every  church 
and  community  in  the  State.  Hundreds  of  ministers 
ha\'c  been  trained  there,  and,  besides  many  men  of  various 
(jthcr  professions,  more  than  a  thousand  teachers  have  gone 
out  to  uplift  the  race. 

^-^^^s  years  went  by,  other  schools  of  high  grade  were  es- 
tablished in  various  other  parts  of  tlie  Statej'''prominent 
among  Avhicli  may  be  mentioned  Waters  i^ormal  Institute, 
Winton  ;  Iioanoke  Institute,  Elizabeth  City;  Shiloh  Insti- 
tute, Warrcnton ;  Garysburg  High  School,  Garysburg; 
Wharton  High  School,  Charlotte;  Roxbora  Academy,  Eox- 
boro ;  Bertie  Academy,  Windsor ;  Addie  Morris'  Mission 
School,  Winston,  and  Xeuse  Txiver  Academy,  Weldon.  To 
supjiort  these  schools  fully  $5,000  a  year  must  be  raised 
among  the  colored  people,  j  The  colored  Baptists  lead  all 
tlie  other  dcMiouiination.s  in  the  work  of  educatioiU  ?^ 

''XKW   EI;a"   IXS'J'ITUTES. 

These  constitute  a  peculiar  phase  of  their  State  Jiission 
work.  At  stated  times  and  places,  pastors,  deacons  and 
Christian  workers  are  called  together  in  a  three-days'  meet- 
ing lo  study  religious,  social  and  historical  subjects — 3G 
(d'  lliese  iiieeliugs  hciug  held  ciU'h  year.  During  each  in- 
stitute a  dozen  different  topics  are  presented  by  the  ablest 
sj)i'.akers,  A\'hite  and  colored,  followed  by  geiun-al  discus- 
sions. By  this  plan  nearly  a  hundred  white  pastors  are 
brought  in  contact  with  the  colored  leaders  annually. 
These  white  brethren  cheerfully  aid  without  compensation 


V 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA,  1 65 

in  the  work  of  spreading  religious  intelligence  among  these 
less  fortunate  people,  and  thus  inspire  them  to  nohle  ideals 
in  life.  The  success  of  these  institutes  has  exceeded  the 
highest  expectations,  for  their  eifect  is  perceptible  through- 
out the  State.  y'-- 

LATER  :»ri.ssi(px  WOIIK. 

The  work  is  now  so  thoroughly  organized  and  developed 
that,  in  Raleigh,  the  State  Convention  keeps  open  '^head- 
quarters,"  in  which  is  located  the  Corresponding  Secre- 
tary's office,  from  which  all  literature  is  distributed,  the 
otnce  of  the  Sunday  School  work,  the  colored  Sunday 
School  Supply  Store,  and  the  offices  of  the  varidus  mis- 
sionaries. The  work  of  the  (^Corresponding  Secretary  has 
grown  so  extensively  that  he  is  now  allowed  a  private 
secretary  to  assist  him.  Six  missionaries,  including  the 
Sunday  School  missionaries,  are  controlled  from  these 
offices,  besides  a  number  of  colporters.  Thus  it  will  be 
I'f  seen  tliat  the  colored  Baptists  of  this  State  are  more  thor- 
oughly organized  than  anywhere  else  in  tliis  country. 

The  foreign  mission  work  has  not  been  wholly  neglected, 
but  year  after  year  money  has  been  raised  for  the  work 
in  Africa.  liev.  J.  0.  Hayes,  now  laboring  at  Brewer- 
ville,  Liberia,  was  sent  out  from  this  State  thirty  years 
ago,  and  is  still  doing  effective  work  in  '■'the  dark  conti- 
nt^nt."  In  harinouy  with  th(^  flovelopment  of  State;  mis- 
sions, interest  in  foreign  missions  was  increased.  It  was 
chiefly  tlirongli  the  efforts  of  i^orth  Carolina  that  the  Lot- 
Cnroy  Foreign  Mission  Conven(,ion  was  oi-ganized  in 
Washington,  D,  C,  1S97,  the  primary  object  being  in- 
creased activity  in  evangelizing  Africa. 


l66  A   HISTORY  OF  Till':  HAPTISTS 

SUMMAKY. 

The  work,  great  and  still  iucreasing,  can  not  be  ade^ 
quately  described  in  a  few  pages ;  but  we  conclude  witb 
a  brief  sunnnary  of  the  work  as  it  now  stands.  One  great 
College,  with  many  departments,  12  academies  and  higli 
schools,  7  regTilar  missionaries,  1  foreign  missionar^y,  40 
Associations,  1  Sunday  School  Convention,  900  ministers, 
1,100  churches,  and  100,000  communicants.  "What  hath 
God  wrouirht !'' 


IN  NORTH  CAROl.IMA.  1 67 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

BAPTISTS  AND   POPULAR  EDUCATIO  ■S". 

Tlie  public  schools  have  had  no  staiincher  supporters 
than  ihe  Baptists  of  the  State.      The  Constitution  of  1776 
had  said :  '"That  a  school  or  schools  shall  be  established  by 
the  Legislature  for  the  convenient  instruction  of  youth, 
A\  ith    such   salaries   to   the   masters,    paid   by    the   public, 
as   may   enable   tliem   to   instruct  at  low   prices;   and   all 
useful  learning  shall  be  encouraged  in  one  or  more  uni- 
versities."    In  ]79r>  the  University  at  Chapel  Hill  was 
opened  for  the  training  of  the  young  men  of  tlie  State, 
l)ut  it  was  not   till   many  yeai-s  afterward   ihat  the  State 
woke   up   to   the   importance   of   scliools   iov   training   the 
indigent  children.      In   ISKJ  (Jovcrnor  ]\lill(^r  called  the 
Legislature's  attention  to  the  need  ot"  ])nblic  schools,  and 
it  ap]iointed   a  coiiiiuillcc,  \\'iili    lion.   Archibald    I).    Mur- 
'l)licy,  cliaintiaii,   lo   rcjiorl   iipini   llic  siibjcd   of  ";il]V)r(liiig 
means  ol'  education  lo  e\'ervone,  liowever  indigent.''    l''i'om 
his   great    hdiors   on    this   C(»mmillee,    -ludge    .Mni'jiliey    is 
justly  called    ''the  father  of   the   pnblie  school   system   of 
Xortli  Carolina."     It  was  not  till  1825  that  the  Legisla- 
ture established  "'a  fund  for  the  establishment  of  common 
schools,  consisting  of  the  dividends  arising  from  tlie  stocks 
then  lield,  or  aftei'ward  actpiired  by  the  State,  in  the  banks 
of  Xew  Bern  and  Cape  Fear,  the  dividends  ai'ising  from 
tbe  stocks  owned  by  the  State  in  Ihe  Ca])(>  VviW  Na\'igiilion 
r*oin]^any,  the  Boanoke  Xavigation  CNtnipany,  Ihe  tax  im- 
posed 1)y  law  on  license  to  I'otailers  of  spirituous  licpiors  and 
auctioneers,   the  uuexi)ouded   balance  of   the   agricultural 


l68  A  HISTORY  OF  THK   HAPTISTS 

iuiul,  ;ill  iiKMU'Vs  paid  lo  the  Slale  i'or  the  entries  of  vaeaiit 
IuikIs,  and  all  the  vacant  and  unajjprupriated  .swamp  lands 
of  tlic  State,  togetlier  with  sueh  sums  as  the  ix'gislature 
may  hcveaftei-  find  it  convenient  to  appropriate  from  time 
to  time.''  This  was  the  basis  of  the  Common  School  Fund, 
styled  "The  Literary  Fund."  In  1837  it  was  increased, 
to  over  $2,000,000  by  the  transfer  of  $],4;3;3,757  by  the 
general  government  to  Xorth  Carolina,  this  being  her 
share  of  the  snrplns  deposit  fund. 

BATTIST.S  AXD  THE  PUBLIC  SCHOOLS. 

In  December,  IboS,  the  Directors  of  the  Literary  Fund 
reported  to  the  Legislature  and  the  State  wa.s  divided 
into  1,250  school  districts,  each  to  have  a  school-house 
erected  and  each  to  receive  its  jjvo  raid  apportionment 
from  the  $100,000  income  accruing  from  tlie  Literary 
L'nnd.  A  vote  was  taken,  and  nearly  every  county  in 
the  State  \'oted  for  the  system  of  common  schools,  and,  in 
islO,  ihe  Leg'ishitiire  ])asse<l  an  act  ordering  said  system 
lo  go  into  effect. 

/•'  Ihu  wliat  did  the  Baptists  have  to  do  witli  founding 
])id)lic  scliools  {  ]\iuch,  every  ^vay.  They  ^v•cre  ihc  ma- 
jority of  the  voters  of  the  State,  and  wlien  the  system  \vas 
submitted  to  the  people,  1838,  the  Baptists  cast  dieir  bal- 
lots for  ptdjlic  schools.  They  were  large  tax-payers  into 
the  treasury  at  Ilaleigh,  and  so  became  chief  .supporters 
of  the  system.  (More  than  tins,  it  may  be  that  the  revival 
of  t^dncaiion  in  North  Carolina  at  that  iiarlicidar  limc  was 
lai'gely  (hie  io  tlie  agitation  of  the  question  among  tlio 
Baptists. u  If  not  S'O,  wliy  shoidd  it  occur  Ihat  Ihe  i"^ub- 
lic  schools  were  established  shortly  after  the  establishment 
of  Wake  Forest  College  ? 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  1 69 

But  what  Land  had  Baptists  in  making  the  public  schools 
of  the  State  as  efficient  as  they  claim  to  be  ?  VBesides  giv- 
ing a  large  portion  of  the  revenue  for  education,  they  had 
in  Associations  and  conventions  agitated  the  question  of 
better  education  and  more  education,  v-^'ou  have  only  to 
revert  to  the  ])roceedings  of  Baptist  bodies  to  see  how  they 
advocated  education  of  the  masses  and  the  enlightenment 
of  the  people.  Especially  did  the  Louisburg  Convention 
of  1S50  encourage  popular  education.  At  that  time  only 
one  poi'son  out  of  seven  over  twenty-one  years  of  age  could 
read  and  write.  The  common  schools  had  been  rumiing 
ten  years,  but  had  not  nmch  reduced  the  illiteracy  of  the 
State.  So  the  Baptist  State  Convention  that  year  laid 
especial  emphasis  on  popular  education,  urging  that  the 
strengtli  of  tlie  denomination  hinged  upon  the  education 
of  the  masses.  Such  a  stand  as  tliis  by  the  Baptists  ma}'- 
serve  to  explain  why  the  illiterate  and  lowly  have  always 
''ghully  hoard"  the  Baptist  missionary.  Well  might  Dr. 
Durluim  say,  "I  thank  God  that  it  is  the  mission  of  tlie 
Baptists  to  save  the  poor  of  tlio  State." 

The  war  swept  away  nearly  all  the  permanent  common 
seliool  fund,  and  it  was  not  till  1S70  that  the  public  schools 
were  again  successfully  opened.  Another  proldem  had 
been  precipitated  on  the  State — the  education  of  the  col- 
ored children.  The  new  Consitution  of  ISGS  provided 
for  the  taxation  of  the  people  to  give  "tuition  free  of 
charge  to  all  the  children  of  the  State  between  the  ages  of 
six  and  twenlv-ono,"  This  included  fbe  colored  as  well 
as  !.h(>  wliiU^  children. 


lyo  A   HISTORY  OF  TIIlv  UAl'TISTS 

J(;I1A'    C.    SCAKHUIJO    AM)    I'Ol'L'LAJt    EDUCATION. 

The  liisLoi'v  of  public  uducaliou  in  jS'ortlj  Carolina  could 
iiot  be  u'l'illeu  williout  i;;i\'lii^'  proniiucnce  to  llic  work  of 
r  Jloii.  John  C.  Scai'borOj  now  J'rositlent  of  Chowan  JJap- 
tist  -Female  Institute.  I'^or  r^cveral  years  he  was  ilie  elii- 
cient  and  honored  Superintentient  of  Puhlic  Instruction 
in  North  Carolina,  and  he  })ushed  the  Avork  of  popular 
education  until  he  almost  reached  the  four  months  limit  in 
every  county  in  the  State.  L-IIe  traveled  from  the  east  to 
the  west  of  our  great  State,  and  his  ringing  speeches  in 
hehalf  of  "more  education  and  better  education"  for  the 
people  will   ne\'er  Ijc  forgotten. 

J;A1''1  ISTS   l'I.KAl)l-\G  FOIt  PUIJI.IC  SCHOOLS. 

The  Ba])tists,  on  seeing  the  increasing  denuuid  for  more 
elHcient  jmhlic  schools,  aiul  the  unwillingni'ss  of  the  Stale 
to  mc'Ct  ihal  deuuiud,  iiavc  been  for  the  last  \.vv.  years 
]tl(niding  for  largei'  a])pro]>riations  lo  public  schools^  In 
180u,  at  the  Srate  Convention  iu  i^^lizabeth  City,  a  com- 
mittee was  apj)oiuted  to  mcuiorialize  the  Legislature.  In 
Ihat  memorial  occurred  this  seutence:  "That  the  illiteracy 
of  large  numbers  of  the  peojde  of  North  Carolina  is  a  re- 
proof to  the  State,  is  unfavorable  to  its  prosperity,  and  is  a 
nu'imce  10  its  good  government;  that  this  illiteracy  can 
be  r(Miit)ved  on\y  llii'ougli  the  agency  of  the  pidilic  scliools, 
and  ihe^e  will  require  all  the  taxt'S  (d'  ilu>  people  which 
can  he  expended  for  educational  juirposes.''  Here  again 
we  liud  (he  I'laplist'^  ])leadiug  i'o\'  the  j)e()ple  and  asking 
the  Slate  for  larger  suius  to  prosc^cule  the  noble  ca.use  of 
giving  lighr  to  the  ])oor  and  helpless. 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA,  17: 

J5A1'TISTS  A'OT  SATISF1J']D  YET. 

But  these  meagre  provisions  for  the  400,000  children 
of  the  State  did  not  satisfy  the  Baptists.  Still  they  write, 
still  they  pray,  still  they  speak,  and  still  they  plead  for 
longer  terms,  which  prevail  in  other  States,  and  for  more 
elhcicnt  teachers  and  for  more  modern  methods  of  instruc- 
tion. J.  W.  Bailey,  editor  of  the  Recorder,  which  speaks 
the  sentiinents  of  the  denomination  on  this  subject,  says, 
'We  Baptists  must  uphold  the  cause  of  the  free  schools 
with  a  view  to  all  sections.  By  them  children  will  ba 
I'eached  who  can  not  have  hope  otherwise.  So  long  as 
present  conditions  exist,  we  shall  regard  it  as  gravely 
^vroug■  for  any  Baptist  to  suppoi't  any  iiublic  ofHcer  who  is 
not  jdedged  to  appropriate  all  the  money  possible  and  to 
help  in  every  other  worthy  way  to  build  up  our  free  school 
p^'stem.  It  is  not  the  child's  fault  that  he  is  uneducated 
and  has  no  scliools.  It  is  the  mau's,  not  the  fatlicr's, 
i)nr  the  .citizen's  fault,  tlio  (Jliristian's  fault  and  shame, 
'J  II  deny  a  human  mind  the  opjiortunily  of  development  is 
an  incomparable  wrong.  Our  whole  State  needs  better 
free  scliools.  All  denominations  need  iheui,  but  we  Bap- 
tists most  of  all.  Our  people  are  ])0or  ])eople  and  plain 
]^(^op]e;  they  live  in  the  country  and  are  in  the  majority. 
We  do  not  kno^v  of  any  point  tr.at  is  more  vital  to  our 
])i()gres.s  t1ui)i  litis.  Give  us  ade(pnile  free  schools,  six 
nionllis  each  yeai',  and  we  will  guaranU'c  lo  eslablisii  acad- 
emies and  endow  colleges,  to  build  chui'ches,  to  educato 
jU'eachers  and  send  missionaries  to  foi'cign  lands." 

Vur  the  sake*  of  liim  \v]\o  said,  "The  poor  luu'c  (he  Clos- 
])el  ])i'eached  unto  them,''  and  for  Llie  sake  of  ( 'hristianity 
which  makes  "the  poor  of  this  world  rich  in  faith,"  the 
Ba])tists  stand  for  longer  terms  and  better  schools. 


172  A   IIISTORV  OK  Tin;  BAPTISTS 


ClJAPTKriXXV. 

KAl'TISTS    AXl)    IIIOIIKU   EDUCATION'. 

.Vltlioiigh  the  Buplisls  fan  boast  of  the  earliest  ehurchcs 
ami  the  iiiag'uitieent  stand  the\'  took  i'or  liberty  and  inde- 
pendence, they  must  hauii'  their  heads  with  regret  when 
we  consider  classical  education  in  the  earlier  days  of  the 
Colony.  In  none  of  the  earlier  records  can  we  find  any 
reference  to  even  one  school  established  and  supported  by 
Baptists  dnring-  the  eighteenth  century.  How  ditferent 
wonld  have  been  the  ediu-ational  history  of  our  denonii- 
nalinn  if  j\m]  i^ibner  oi'  Shil(jh,  Wiliiani  Soj(Turnei'  of 
.Kehukee,  John  (iaiio  of  Jersey  Settlement,  and  Shubael 
Stearns  of  Sandy  i'reek,  had  establislied  classical  schools 
and  tnrned  on  tlie  liulit  of  higher  education  t(j  guide  the 
\\'anderiug  feet   of    I->aptisl    pioneers! 

!'i>M:si!>i"ri':i:iA.\s  ()iM':.\  ri''i'ni':  I'Miu-d, 

Tlie  Ha])tists  had  the  start  of  tln^  I'resbyierians  in  |)oint 
of  s(Mll(Mnenl.  i^ml  Palmer  had  founde<!  Shiloh  eighteen 
years,  and  William  Sojonrner  had  planted  his  colony  of 
Baptists  in  IFalifax  County  three  years  before  a  single 
step  was  taken  by  Xorthern  Presbyterians  to  enter  the 
field.  It  was  not  till  IT-l.")  that  the  'New  York  and  ]^'nn- 
sylvaniii  S}'nods  liegan  to  send  missioiuiries  to  Xortli  Caro- 
lina. .\s  soon  as  tliese  Presbyterians  established  a  cliureh, 
ihey  fonnded  a  classical  school  l)eside  the  church,  Dr. 
Charles  L(H'  Smith  says,  ''It  is  to  Presbyterian  churches 
that  "North  Carolimi  owes  the  establisliment  of  lier  best 
classical  schools/  and  duvin»'  the  second  half  of  tlie  eigh- 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  1 73 

teentli  century  the  history  of  education  in  this  State  is 
inseparably  connected  with  this  denomination." 

Among  the  early  classical  schools  we  mention  Tate's 
Academy,  founded  in  Wilmington  by  Kev.  James  Tate 
about  1700;  Crowheld  Academy,  founded  in  1700,  Aleck- 
lenburg  County,  not  far  from  where  Davidson  College  now 
stands,  Avhere  were  educated  Drs.  McKee,  James  Hall, 
McCorkle,  Brevard  (author  of  the  Mecklenburg  Decla- 
ration of  Independence),  and  Col.  Adlai  Osborne;  Dr. 
David  Caldwell's  School,  in  Guilford  County,  founded  in 
1707,  which  gave  five  governors  to  different  States  and 
trained  many  Congressmen,  physicians,  ministers,  law- 
yers, and  tNvo  judges,  Murphey  and  ]\rcCoy ;  Queen's  Col- 
lege, founded  in  Charlotte  by  Kev.  James  Alexander,  1707, 
and  afterward  (1775)  becoming  Liberty  Hall  Academy; 
Granville  Hall,  Granville  County,  founded  in  1779,  con- 
]iccted  Avith  which  were  many  of  the  most  noted  men  of 
the  ti!iu\s;  Clio's  Nursery,  founded  hy  Dr.  James  Hall 
about  J  770,  eminently  connected  wi(li  ihe  Uevohition  and 
the  cause  of  liberty;  Kerr's  School,  founded  by  Jlcv.  Da- 
vid Kerr,  171)1,  in  Fayettoville.  All  these  schools  wove 
private  institutions,  and  many  of  them  soon  ceased  to 
exist  in  name,  but  their  influence  helped  to  mould  the  his- 
tory of  the  State  through  i\[avtin,  Spencer,  ]\IcAden", 
Avery,  Alexander,  Davie,  Caldwell,  Gaston,  Macon. 

BAPTISTS  nilST  TO  FOU:^]3  A  COLLEGE  IN  THE  STATE.     ' 

^N^ot  counting  the  Quaker  School  at  New  Garden, 
founded  in  1833,  which  in  its  early  days  could  not  be 
ranked  as  a  college,  the  Baptists  were  the  first  in  the 
State    to   found    a    denominational    college,  V^  The   second 


174  A  HISTORY  OF  TIIIC  BAPTISTS 

cliartui-  for  Wake  .Forest;,  granted  by  the  l^egii^lature  of 
Ks;)(),  made  it  a  eollege  willi  powers  to  eoiifci'  di[)]onias. 
So  we  are  safe  to  assort  that  from  the  actual  faets  Bap- 
tists were  tlie  pioneers  in  the  g-lorions  work  of  denomina- 
tional collcii'es.  The  resolution  of  Dr.  Morrison  establish- 
ing Davidson  College  under  the  auspices  of  the  Presby- 
terian Synod  was  adopted  four  years  after  the  North  Caro- 
lina Baptist  State  Convention  had  ^'oted  to  open  Wako 
DoT'cst.  The  founding  of  Wake  Forest  College  antedated, 
by  eight  years,  the  origin  of  Trinity  College,  established 
under  the  aus[)ices  of  the  ]\Iethodist  Episco]jal  Clinrch, 
South.  Fduu  College,  luider  the  atispices  of  the  Chi'is- 
tian  denomination,  is  of  far  later  origin.  So  we  see  that 
Bai^tists,  though  backward  at  first,  did  come  to  tlie  front 
on  higlier  education  and  led  the  State  in  the  work  of 
founding   denominational   colleges. 

A   inuinOK  S'rAXDAIfl)  l^'Olt  jiu^iieu  ejjucatiox. 

In  the  early  yeai's  of  the  nineleenth  c(jntui'y,  the  Uni- 
versity of  A'orlh  (-'"aroliiKi  stood  head  and  shoulders  with 
tlie  University  of  Virginia,  and  was  one  of  the  best  Uni- 
versities of  the  South.  But  since  the  war  the  curricu- 
lum has  not  been  abreast  of  those  in  the  higher  universi- 
ties. All  this  time  the  standard  at  Wako  Forest  College 
had  been  rising,  until  a  little  over  a  decade  ago  the  Uni- 
versity and  Wako  Porcst  wore  brouglit  into  sharp  coui- 
petition.  The  standard  at  Wake  Torest  had  almost 
reached  that  at  tlie  University.  The  number  of  students 
at  tlie  University  had  diminished  and  the  number  at  Wako 
Forest  had  increased.  This  spurred  up  the  University, 
find  for  the  last  decade  it  has  been  elevating  its  standard 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  I  75 

of  iusti'uciion.  .\.t  tlio  same  time  Wfike  Forest  lias  been 
doiiiii'  the  same,  and  other  denominational  collea'es  liave 
done  likewise.  It  appears  not  immodest  to  say  that  Bap- 
tists share  u  large  part  of  the  glory  in  elevating  tJie  stand- 
ard of  higher  education  in  our  State,  And  the  Baptist 
to  ^vhom  most  of  the  honor  is  dne  is  the  scholarly  Chas. 
E.  Taylor,  A\'ho  became  President  of  Wake  Forest  College 
in  1SS4.  lie,  being  a  graduate  of  the  University  of  Vir- 
ginia, whose  curriculum  is  far  ahead  of  that  at  Chapel 
Hill,  has  sought  to  lift  the  standard  of  Wake  Forest  so 
as  to  make  it  compare  favorably  with  that  of  his  ^ilma 
Maicr. 

ENT..\ROE^rEXT    AT    WAKE    FOUEST. 
/ 

/in  1S08  the  Trustees  advisetl  tlie  establishment  of  the 
School  of  Law  at  Wake  Forest  Collcfre,  and  this  depart- 
ment was  ]mt  in  operation  in    189-1-./  JTow  the  students 
wbo   take   the  l^aw   Course  at  our  College   inider  ]^.   Y. 
Gullcy'    are    ])repared    to    compete    with    those    trained    at 
Cliapel  irill.      In  1897  the  Chair  of  the  Bible  was  added,  ^ 
and  the  average  graduate  of  Wake  Forest,  in  liis  stoi'c  of  f 
sacred  lore, is  superior  to  the  graduates  of  other  institu-  ♦ 
tions  in  the  State.      f '  \  ,• 

BAPTISTS  TX  COMPETITION  WITH  STATE  IXSTITUTIOXS. 

For  the  last  decade  the  i\gricultural  and  Mecluinical 
College,  with  free  tuition,  and  the  University  with  its 
lavish  scholarships,  have  been  alluring  many  boys  from 
Ba])lisl  hoines  and  preventing  the  numerical  growtli  wliich 
justly  belongs  to  the  Ea})tist  College.  T)v.  Taylor  lias 
bravely  led  the  Baptists  in   the  contest   with   the   State 


176  A  HISTORY  OF  THIC  BAPTISTS 

iu-ititiuioii:?.  His  concur  and  unanswerable  paniplilel  on 
''How  Fnr  Should  a  State  Undertake  to  Educated"  was 
scattered  tlirougliout  the  State  by  Dr.  Durham  just  before 
Lis  death,  and  did  much  to  cultivate  public  sentiment  on 
the  vital  question  of  State  aid  in  higher  education.  At 
the  Con\'ention  of  1S95,  Dr.  J.  W.  Carter  read  the  j\Ie- 
inorial  and  Petition  presented  to  the  Legislature  relative 
to  State  aid  to  higher  education,  from  which  we  quote: 

"Thitt  the  policy  of  appropriating  the  taxes  of  the  peo- 
ple to  tlie  support  of  higher  education  in  colleges  and  uni- 
versities is  not  only  unjust  to  the  public  schools,  with 
which  these  colleges  and  universities  have  no  organic 
connection,  b\it  is  actually  obstructive  to  the  }uost  natural 
and  healthful  development  of  collegiate  or  university  edu- 
cation in  tlie  State.  That  the  continued  appropriation  to 
higher  education  of  any  part  of  the  taxes  of  the  people 
which  mlg'ht  bo  used  in  h'eej)ing  the  public  schools  open 
fiir  four  mouths  a  year,  as  recpiired  by  mandates  of  the 
Constitution,  is  unnecessary  and  therefore  unwise  and 
wrong.  That  this  a[)proprlation  is  unnecessary,  because 
it  is  possible  for  all  higlier  collegiate  or  univci'slty  educa- 
tion to  bo  pro\'i(h'id  for,  not  from  the  taxes  of  the  pciiplo, 
but  by  ])rivato  muniticeuce  tlirougli  endowiuents  or  other- 
wise, on  the  ])rinciple  of  voluntary  support.  That  the 
volimtary  system  is  not  only  right  in  itself,  but  has  proved 
its  practical  efficiency  iu  every  State  in  which  it  hns  had 
a  fair  trial.  That  some  of  tlie  same  general  principles 
wliich  liavo  demanded  \ho  sej)ni'atiou  of  church  and  state 
demand  also  the  severance  (>f  liigber  edticatiou.  from 
State  stip]H)rt." 

This  princi])le  of  voluntary  sup]")ort  divided  the  liiglier 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  I  77 

institutions  of  the  State,  v/itli  the  denominational  colleges 
on  one  side  and  the  State  institutions  on  the  other.  The 
Baptists  have  advocated  the  principle  until  the  Methodists 
and  Presljyterians  have  joined  tliem  in  their  common 
cause  against  the  institutions  of  the  State. 

JJETUEL  HILL  INSTITUTE. 

This  school  was  founded  in  1888  hy  Rev.  J.  A.  Beam. 
It  is  for  hoth  sexes  and  has  reached  hundreds  of  ambi- 
tious men  and  women,  because  of  its  incredibly  low  terms. 
It  teaches  the  hanguages,  business,  music,  elocution  and  art. 
In  189S,  27  counties  of  ISToi-th  Carolina  and  four  other 
States  were  represented  on  its  student  roll.  ^Ir.  Beam 
has  sent  out  many  bright  young  men  to  ])reac]i  the  Gospel, 
and  lias  ])repared  a  still  larger  number  for  Wake  Forest 
College. 

ASSOCIATION  AL    ACADEMIES. 

For  about  \v.n  years  JJi'.  Tayloi"  has  been  urging  the 
(;stablislimeiit  of  high  schools  and  academies  in  all  the 
Assoeiatious  as  feeders  to  Walce  I'V)rest.  ''Tlu;  [jumber- 
loii  institute,  in  Ivobeson  Association,  Pi'ofessor  Bagley's 
High  School  at  Littletoti,  and  Buie's  Creek  vVcademy 
under  !iev.  J.  A.  fjampbell,  liave  prepared  a  large  num- 
ber of  boys  for  Wake  Forest.\  But  about  five  years  ago 
the  question  of  Associational  academies  was  again  revived, 
since  tlse  existing  iicademies  could  not  meet  the  demand. 
In  1898  the  Chowan  Association  took  steps  to  build  an 
Associational  Academy  m  Elizabeth  City.  Several  other 
Associations  in  t.ho  centrad  and  west-(>rn  j)art  of  the  State 
are  opening  similar  aeadcmies  to  swell  the  ranks  of  Wake 
Forest  and  the  Female  University  at  Raleigh. 
12 


178  A  HISTORY  OF  TllU.  BAPTISTS 

HIGHER    EDUCATION    FOlt    PREACHERS. 

At  the  first  session  of  the  State  Couveution  only  five 
college  graduates  were  nimibered  among  the  ministers 
present.  When  the  Convention  met  at  Greenville,  1898, 
several  liundred  graduates  were  present  to  discuss  the 
living  questions  pertaining  to  the  kingdom  of  God.  More- 
over, the  numljer  of  Seminary  preachers  is  increasing 
every  year.  ]\rany  of  our  pulpits  are  filled  by  young 
men  from  theological  seminaries.  '-'The  State  sends  each 
year  about  ten  or  twelve  young  men  to  Louisville  Semi- 
nary, and  contributes  annually  about  $G00  for  their  su]j- 
port.      / 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  1 79 

CHAPTER  XXVI. 

BAPTISTS  AND   FEMALE   EDUCATIOX, 

Xapoleon  once  said,  "Give  me  the  women  and  the  chil- 
dren under  ten  years  of  age  and  I  will  rule  the  world." 
Yes,  he  might  have  said,  "Give  me  the  women  and  I  will 
rule  the  world,"  for  the  women  shape  the  thoughts  of 
cliildrcn  and  mould  their  lives  for  weal  or  woe.  But  dur- 
ing the  quarter  of  a  century  this  same  iSTapoleon  was 
drenching  the  once  peaceful  fields  of  Europe  with  crim- 
son streams  of  human  blood,  our  educators  in  Xorth  Caro- 
lina were  letting  the  girls  grow  up  in  ignorance,  instead 
of  })olishing  their  rude  but  promising  minds  for  usefulness 
in  society,  State  and  church.  Although  Davie,  Caldwell, 
Spencer,  Willie  Jones,  Samuel  Johnston,  Iredell,  Aslie 
and  o(]iers  intorjireted  the  Constitution  to  provide  for 
highc)'  education  for  young  men,  they  never  dreamed  that 
tlie  stune  Constitution  migb.t  bo  made  tlie  basis  of  higher 
education  for  women.  The  University  at  Chapel  Hill 
had  educated  the  boys  of  nearly  a  century  before  it  dawned 
upon  the  State  to  found  a  school  for  its  girls.  ITie  State 
had  founded  its  second  institution  for  young  men  in 
Italeigh,  and  it  had  been  in  o])eration  for  three  years  be- 
fore (^harles  I).  ^Fclver  induced  the  Stiitc  to  make  a])pro- 
prinlion  to  f(Uind  the  OrccMisboi'o  Industrial  School  foi- 
young  ladies. 

Bui  the  cliurches  look  u])  the  mattei'  of  female  educii- 
tion,  un.d  willi  llie  ninelecnlli  century  began  the  lii'sl.  fe- 
male school  of  the  Stat^',  the  Salem  h'emale  Academy, 
located  in  Salem,  founded  by  the  American  ]\loravian 
Church,  and  opened  by  Rev.  Samuel  Ivronach,  a  cultured 


l80  A  HISTORY  OF  TIIK  BAPTISTS 

scholar,    OetobcM-,    180j1.      Saloiii    was   for   years   tlui  only 
foitialo  seliool  oi"  liiu'li  ;L;'radc!  iu  the  South. 

Tile  next  denomination  to  found  a  school  for  the  ti'ain- 
ing'  of  its  girls  in  the  higher  branehes  was  die  Metliodist 
]<]j)is('()pal,  S(jntli.  Cii'censboro  Fenmle  College,  tlieir 
<il(li-si  feinalr  eolJege,  was  eliartered  and  opened  as  a  col- 
lege in  is;js.  Asheville  Female  (''ollege  was  established 
iu  1850.  Wesleyan  Female  College  was  founded  by  the 
^'irgiuia  Confcrenee  in  Murfreesboro,  in  185o,  and  has 
sent  out  hundreds  of  cultured  girls  to  bless  Fastern  Caro- 
lina. The  next  denomination  entering  the  ranks  of  highei 
fenuile  education  was  the  Fpiscopal  Church,  which  in 
1842  founthHl  St.  ALary's  Selnjol  in  .Faleigli,  in  a  beau- 
tiful oalv  grove,  one  mile  from  the  capitol.  But  tlu;  Bap- 
tists antedated  the  Pre.sbj'terians  b}^  nearly  ten  years,  the 
first  Presbyterian  school  being  (^harlotte  Female  Insti- 
tute, established  in  1857. 

(MiowAX    UAC'iusr    1'T;.mai.I':    ixstiu'ctJ';. 

^  ddiis  was  the  first  school  that  Xortli  Carolimi  Baptists 
esrablished  for  their  girls,  it  being  founded  in  181-8  by 
the  Chowan  Association,  then  including  the  Chovvan  and 
West  Chowan  j\.ssociations.\'' "The  Bortio  Union  Meet- 
ing, 1848,  sent  a  connnunieation  to  tlie  Chowan  Associa- 
tion, recommending  the  establishment  of  a  high  school 
for  tiie  I)a])tists  of  Kastca'u  Cari)limn  This  rt'eommenda- 
tion  was  favored,  and  Trustees  were  appointed  for  Cho- 
wan   iiaptist   Fcnnile  Institute.      This   is   its  origin. 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  l8l 

LOCATIOX    AND    OPENING. 

This  institution  is  located  in  the  beautiful  town  of 
ivLurfreesboro,  llertfoi'd  County.  The  campus,  embrac- 
ing- 2S  acres,  was  rendered  by  nature  one  of  the  loveliest 
in  the  State.  After  the  fitting  up  of  the  house  at  the 
cost  of  $1,225,  liev.  Archibald  McDowell,  D.D.,  of  South 
Carolina,  a  graduate  of  Wake  Forest  College,  the  first 
principal,   opened  the  school   on   October    11,    1848. 

rUE    NEW    BUILDINCi. 

By  IS 51.  the  patronage  of  the  school  had  increased  so 
tliat  a  more  commodious  building  became  an  absolute 
necessity.  In  tliat  }'ear  a  joint  stock  com])any  took  charge 
of  tlie  school,  selected  the  present  lovely  site,  and  contrac- 
ted for  the  large  and  handsome  building  which  soon  became 
the  pride  of  Eastern  Baptists,  because  within  its  walls  their 
daiigliters  were  trained  for  higher  splieres  in  life.  In 
1.S52  the  new  buihling  was  coui])lete«l,  and  the  young 
hulics  began  their  recitations  in  i(s  beauliful  class-rooms. 
At  that  time  tlie  property  'was  estimated  at  $35,000,  but 
improvements  were  added  until  within  a  few  years  the 
pro])erty  was  worth  $50,000.  The  money  for  acquiring 
this  valuable  property  was  contributed  mainly  by  the 
Chowan  Association,  tliougli  some  of  it  was  given  outside 
of  the  Association.  \V.  W.  ]\[itchell,  Ahoskie,  X.  C, 
>vas  one  of  the  gveatesr  iinancial  friends  of  the  Institnle, 
Once,  when  it  was  in  a  financial  strait,  he  gave  $5,000  to 
relieve  tlie  embarrassment  of  tlie  Institute. 

DK.     ]LOOIM':U    AT    VVS     HEAD. 

In    1854    the   Trustees   elected    l\cv.    William    Hooper 
I).  D.,  LL.D.,  as  Principal.     Dr.  Hooper  is.  well  known 


r82  A  HISTORY  OF  TIIK  BAPTISTS 

ns  uiK-  (»['  [\iv  chief  aclurs  in  the  esUiblishnieiit  of  tho 
State  Convention  and  of  Wake  Forest  College,  but  his 
nieniory  is  dear  to  Eastern  Baptists  rather  because  of  his 
sneeessful  work  at  ^lurfreesboro.  For  eight  years  he 
guided  the  Institute  ^viscly'  and  well,  extending  its  cur- 
iieuluni  and  increasing  its  patronage. 

,sl•:co^'I)  pitEsiDExcY  OF  m'dowell. 

In  1SG2  Dr.  Hooper  resigned  and  was  succeeded  by 
.Dr.  Archibald  ^iIcDowell.  For  seven  years  before  this 
he  had  been  Professor  of  ^lathematics  and  Xaturai 
Science.  AVhen  he  became  President,  he  soon  won  the 
largest  ])lace  in  the  hearts  of  the  people,  and  his  name 
became  a  household  word  in  Baptist  homes  tliroughout  the 
east.  Jle  did  not  suil'er  the  school  to  he  closed  by  tlio  war, 
but  bravely  pushed  its  work  to  higher  achievements,  until 
May  -27,  IS.Sl,  when  he  ])eaccfull>'  passed  away  from 
scenes  of  toil. 

in  ISTS  the  joint  stock  com])any  gave  the  Institute  to 
the  l-taptist  dcnouiinalion.  It  was  the  only  fenuile  scliool 
ow)ied  by  the  Baptists  of  tlu^  State  until  the  rise  of  tiie 
Baptist  Penuile  University. 

ntoFESsoR  brewer's  presidexcy. 

Prof,  John  B.  Brewer  nssiuncd  the  duties  of  President 
of  tho  Institute  in  Octolx'r,  ISSl.  Tie  was  n  graduato 
of  Wake  Forest  (^oUege  and  one  of  the  foremost  educators 
of  the  State.  Ihit  toward  ilie  close  of  his  presidency  tJu- 
])ali'(iuage  was  much  diminished,  au<l  n  shadow  oveu'cast  the 
InstitAite  because  of  the  competition  with  the  State,  school 
at    Grccnshoro.     But    tho  Institute   was   destiuod   to    fill 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  1 83 

an  important  place  in  tlie  training  of  Baptist  girls,  and  so 
improvements  on  tlie  building  were  made  by  the  Trustees 
aljout  ten  years  ago,  and  the  curriculum  extended  by 
President   Brewer. 

Hon.  John  C,  Scarboro  became  the  President  of  the 
Institute  in  1897,  and  under  his  efficient  administration 
the  student  roll  is  increasing  and  the  prospects  of  the  Insti- 
tute are  growing  brighter  every  year.  It  has  trained 
young  ladies  not  only  from  North  Carolina,  but  also  from 
Virginia,  South  Carolina,  Alabama,  Mississippi,  Geor- 
gia, Texas,  Maryland,  New  York,  and  the  District  of  Co- 
lumbia. Its  alumna'  liavc  been  efficient  Sunday  School 
teachers,  church  workers,  preachers'  wives,  instructors, 
and  missionaries  to  China.  Ilcr  inlluence,  like  that  of 
Wake  Forest,  has  wrapped  the  world  around. 

OXFORD    FE^rALE    SE"MIXARy. 

/ 
'^'  The  second  school  of  high  grade  for  Ijaptlst  giils  was 
Oxford  Female  Seminary.    '-'"^ 

KS'1'A1;J.1S11.MJ';.\T     AND     DOCATIOX. 

,  It  was  founded  by  Dr.  Wait  in  1851.  It^s  name  appears 
at  first  to  have  been  Oxford  Female  College,  i'^ut  after 
the  Kaleigh  Female  Seminary,  founded  by  Dr.  William 
Koyall,  was  combined  with  the  Oxford  Female  College, 
its  name  was  changed  to  Oxford  Female  Seminary,  and 
located  in  Oxford.  Its  grounds  are  in  a  quiet,  beau- 
tiful jiortion  of  tbe  town,  and  its  lawn  is  lovely  with  sha<lc 
ti'cc^s,   shrubl)(i'y,    llowci's   ami   circling   walks. 


184  A  HISTORY  OF  THlv  liAPTlSTS 


PKi:sii)KNcv  or  j.   11.  .\lills. 

Ou  ilic  rcsimiatioii  of  Wair,  iS5T,  that  scLularly  man 
aiul  excellent  educator,  J.  11.  ^Mills,  becaiiio  President  and 
led  the  Seininarj  on  to  success. 

Tine    IJUILDINGS. 

These  were  erected  in  1650,  and  were  enlarged  in  1880 
at  a  cost  of  $4,500.  Since  then  about  $5,000  have  been 
spent  for  improvements,  and  many  modern  improvements 
recently  added  make  Oxford  Female  Seminary  compare 
favorably  with  any  of  the  female  schools  of  the  State. 

IUU:0UOD's    I'l^ESrOKXCY. 

I'or  about  Iweiity-livc  }'ears  the  school  has  been  under 
the  wise  and  successful  management  of  Prof.  F.  P.  ITob- 
good,  one  of  the  finest  scholars  and  foremost  educators 
of  the  State.  ^V]n■u  Dr.  Royall  resigned  the  Ealoigh 
Female  Si'iiiinai'v  and  J.  11.  .Mills  gave  up  Oxford  Fe- 
]nal('  Ciilh'gi-.  Pi'ofessor  Ibibgood  condiiued  llie  two  schools 
and  has  given  the  iKijitists  of  this  portion  of  the  State 
one  of  the  most  tliorough  ft^nuile  colleges. 

It  is  a  nuirvellous  fact  that  Oxford  Seminary  has  in- 
creased is  patronage  just  20  per  cent  each  year  for  ^he 
past  five  years.  So  in  five  years  it  has  doubled  its 
patronage. 

Tine    IIAI'TIST   VK.NtALE    UXIVKKSITY. 

It  has  been  founded  to  give  Baptist  women  higher  edu- 
cation. Jn  lS8t)  the  Slate  Oonventlon,  in  Henderson, 
passed  a  resolution  *'that  the  time  had  come  when  the 
Baptists  of  the  State  should  establish  a  school  for  young 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  1 85 

women,  of  high  grade,  foi'  the  iidvancement  of  higher  edu- 
cation of  the  women  of  our  hand."  But  two  years  passed 
before  the  Convention  a})i)ointed  Trustees  and  began  the 
actual  raising  of  money  for  the  erection  of  suitable  build- 
ings. 0.  L,  Stringfield  was  appointed,  1891,  to  take  the 
field  as  General  Agent  and  arouse  the  Baptists  of  the 
State  to  the  importance  of  giving  money  to  found  a  female 
university.  Throughout  the  State  he  traveled,  and  with 
power  and.  success  appealed  to  the  people  until  the  money 
was  raised  to  finish  the  erection  of  the  Main  Building. 

LOCATION    AND    BUILDINGS. 

'The  Ba])tist  Female  University  is  located  in  Baleigh, 
at  the  corncT  of^BloirhT  "and  Edenton  streets.  k'I^o  more 
attractive  site  could  have  been  selected  in  jSTorth  Carolina. 
The  Prcsl)yterians  liave  their  Peace  Institute  and  the 
E])iscopalians  their  St,  ]\[ary's  in  the  capital  city,  and 
fitting  it  is  that  our  Baj)tist  Female  lJni\a'rsity  slioidd  he 
situated  in  tlie  ca])ital,  so  easy  of  access  fi'om  all  parts  of 
the  State. 

In  1895  the  contract  for  the  first  building  was  awarded 
to  tlie  North  Carolina  Car  Company  at  a  cost  of  $38,000. 
This  was  to  be  the  Main  Building,  and  rose  as  the  funds 
were  collected  by  Stringfield,  and  was  not  finished  till  the 
summer  of  1890.  Tliis  building  is  heated  1)y  steam  and 
ligliltMl  ])y  elcclricity,  is  provided  A\'ith  !iot  and  cold  water, 
and  excellent  bath-rooms  for  the  students. 

Before  tlic  oj^oning  of  the  first  session  it  was  seen  tliat 
more  students  would  be  present  than  could  bo  accommo- 
dated. Hence,  the  Trustees  purchased  the  Adams  house, 
contiiTuous  to  the  Main  Building,     This  is  a  handsome 


l86     ■  A  HISTORY  OF  THK  BAPTISTS 

buikling  willi  liU  rouiiis,  and  eosl  $15,000.  Two  otliev 
buikliiis;.s  wvvv  piircluisecl  in  1000.  The  four  biiiklings, 
with  furnishings,  .'irc  valued  at  over  $100,000,  and  only 
$-10,000  were  unpaid  in  lliOO,  which  tlie  Baptists  of  the 
State  hope  to  ]3ay  in  1901. 

,  UA'IVERSITY    OPENED. 

The  iirst  session  opened  on  September  27,  1S99,  and 
soon  ISO  students  were  enrolled  under  a  faculty  of  IS 
professors,  representing  the  University  of  Missouri,  Uni- 
A'ersity  ]\le(lical  College,  Kansas  City,  Mo.  ;  the  Univer- 
sity of  Georgia,  National  Normal  University  of  Ohio, 
"University  of  Tennessee,  Woman's  Medical  College  of 
isJew  York  Inhrmary,  Cooper  Institute,  Chase  Art  School 
of  New  York,  Yale  University,  Harvard  University,  Bryn 
]\la\vr  College,  and  other  leading  institutions  in  America, 
and  some  of  the  faculty  representing  even  German  uni- 
versities. 

EXI'EXSES    LOW. 

it  is  said  that  no  institution  of  similar  rank  in  all  tlie 
South  has  ever  nuide  expenses  so  low,  in  the  University 
Club  ITouse,  good  board,  nice  rooms,  fuel  and  lights  are 
$80  per  year,  tuition  $52.50,  and  medical  fee  $5.00, 
making  tlie  total  expenses  for  a  year  $1157.50,  In  the 
Central  .iJuilding  (he  exj)enses  are  $28.00  more,  making 
the  total  a  year  $105.50.  The  Central  Building  affords 
steam  heat,  electric  lights,  hot  and  cold  Avatev,  and  bath- 
rooms. All  students  in  both  departments  are  under  tlio 
immediate  su])ervision  of  the  faculty, 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  1 87 

TJIE    FUTURE    OF    THE    UXIVERSITY. 

The  foregoing  is  a  statement  of  the  beginning  of  a  glo- 
rious institution.  Itcv.  li.  T.  Vann,  D.D,,  became  Pres- 
ident in  1900,  and  already  the  University's  friends  are 
dreaming  of  larger  patronage  and  more  blessed  results.  If 
such  great  things  have  been  done  with  sucli  dark  prospects,' 
how  much  greater  things  can  be  done  when  now  the  sun 
of  prosperity  shines  upon  the  University !  If  out  of  the 
dark  past  has  come  the  glorious  present,  what  may  we  hope 
for  in  the  future  from  a  prosperous  present!  Only  a 
few  days  ago  ]\rrs.  Virginia  Yancey  Swepson,  Raleigh,  at 
lier  death  left  $25,000  to  the  Baptist  Uemale  University. 
Surely  heaven  will  smile  on  the  future  of  this  glorious 
institution. 


A  HISTORY  OF  THl';  IJAPTISTS 


ClIAPTEl^.  XXVIJ, 


Til]';     WOKK    OF     ItAl'TIST     WOMEN. 

/  The  Bajitist  women  wore  deep  symputliizcrs  iu  all  the 
mi.ssioiiary  plaius  t»t'  the  (leiiomiiiation,  and  never  failed 
to  whisper  words  of  eneonragenient.  j/Just  as  tlic  women 
of  Israel  went  out  to  sing  the  praises  of  King  Sanl  and 
Prince  David,  on  their  return  from  victory,  so  our  brave 
Baptist  women  went  forth  with  words  of  praise  and 
cheer  for  the  glorious  achievements  of  the  State  Conven- 
tion and  its  Boards.  Also/ when  Sunday  Schools  were 
established,  Bajjiisi  women  found  a  large  field  of  usc^ 
fulness.  ^Earnisi,  consc^crated  women  have  ever  nnide 
the  most  successful  instructors  of  youth.  JMany  of  our 
most  eminent  preachers  now  received  their  first  simple 
lessons  of  theology  in  the  class-room  of  some  consecrated 
woman.  The  golden  seed  sown  by  these  pious  women  in 
youthfnl  heaiMs  ha\'e  l)rougliv  fni-fh  abundant  liarvcsis  for 
the  good  of  men  and  ihc  g!<>ry  <rl"  (Jod. 

Wt».\Ii;N    AX!)    WAKI''.    l''()!i!:s'r. 

No  one  responded  more  readily  to  ])r.  \\'ait's  ap]ieals 
for  A\''ake  Forest  than  the  brave  but  liunible  women  in 
Nortli  Carolina.  They  could  not  give  their  thousaiids, 
like!  .Ilcick,  Williams  or  r)(,)slAvit'k,  bnt  tliey  ga\'e  Uieir  mites 
of  such  as  the}'  had — blankets,  sheets,  pillow-cases,  com- 
forts, beds,  bedding,  or  something  else  that  would  be  of 
more  us(;  to  the  school  {]\a]\  their  real  worth  in  cash,  X'ot 
only  at  the  founding  of  the  College,  but  over  since,  the 
hearts  of  the  women  have  been   tlirilled  with   pride  to 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  1 89 

mark  the  marvellous  prosperity  of  Wake  Forest  College. 
]\[aiiy  of  them  have  made  incredible  sacrifices  to  send  their 
boys  to  college.  Some  of  them  have  run  their  farms  and 
managed  their  business  to  let  their  sons  go  off  to  school. 
The  writer  knows  a  case  whero  a  noble-hearted  mother 
^^•aslicd  and  sewed  for  others  to  support  her  son  at  Wake 
Forest. 

WOJIEX    AND    TUE    ORPHANS. 

\\  hen  our  Orphanage  at  Thomasville  was  contemplated, 
though  many  men  opposed  it,  not  one  woman's  voice 
was  lifted  against  it.  Since  then  competent  women  have 
been  teachers,  matrons  and  nurses  of  the  helpless  orphans 
at  Thouuisvillc.       ^.^ 

wo:man's  central  committee. 

In  1S8G  the  Woman's  Central  Committee  was  organized, 
10  be  auxiliary  to  the  State  Convention,  its  object  being 
to  raise  funds  for  State  missions,  home  missions,  foreign 
n.ii.sslons,  Or])]iauage  and  education. '""'rhe  insj)irlng  iig- 
ure  of  this  ^vork  was  aiid  is  Miss  Fannie;  h].  S.  lleck,  tlio 
Prosidout.  She  is  thoroughly  informed  as  to  the  needs  of 
the  various  fields,  and  wholly  devoted  to  the  cause  of 
Christ.  AVith  her  pen  and  presence  she  has  instructed 
and  inspired  many  others  for  the  same  useful  work. 

W()^!R^'',S      ASS001ATU)NAL      MISSIONAICY      MIOKIM  .\<JS. 

These  mission  meetings  are  held  by  tlie  women  in  con- 
nection with  the  various  Associations.  Each  Association 
has  a  Vice-President,  ap]^oin1cd  by  the  Board  of  Missions. 
These  meetings  are  rallying  centres  among  the  women, 
Tiearly  always  resulting  in  the  organization  of  a  Woman's 


190  A  HISTORY  OK  THE  BAPTISTS 

^Missionary  Society.  The  ladies  of  the  Central,  j\lt.  Ziou, 
Eastern,  Atlantic,  i\Iecklenburg'  and  Cabarrns,  Piedmont, 
Pec  Deo,  West  Chowan,  Pobeson,  and  many  others,  have 
pnt  tliemselves  in  line  and  luive  Associational  Vice-Pres- 
idents. This  \\'ork  is  beinij;  pushed  so  as  to  enlist  the  sym- 
pathy of  all   the  Associations. 

CMIILDKE^^'s    :MISSI0N    BAXDS. 

In  1S9C  Miss  Lizzie  Briggs,  Paleigh,  was  appointed 
special  supervisor  of  Band  Work.  Since  then  she  has 
been  instrumental  in  oroanizinii'  a  lar^e  number  of  these 
Children's  3;Iission  Bands.  She  has  had  the  co-opera- 
tion (^f  20  ^Vssoeiational  Vice-Presidents,  and  they  to- 
gether ha\'e  increased  the  interest  in  this  department  of 
missionary    training. 

:MISS]ONAliY     TiOXES, 

'  '^rhese  are  cai'efnlly  j)rej)ared  by  ihe  loN'ing  wonu'ii,  and 
j.re  lilled  \\\{\\  useful  articles  to  be  shipped  to  Indian  Tei'- 
ritory,  Oklahoma,  and  other  ])oinis  in  the  Soutlnvest,  and 
gladden  the  heartvS  of  home  missionaries. ; 

YATES  MEMORIAL  IMISSIOXARY. 

In  ]S'J4-,  at  tlie  Charlotte  (.""onvention,  the  Baptist  wo- 
men decided  that  the  most  a])propriatc!  memorial  to  tho 
noble  Yates  would  be  a  living  missionary  supported  by 
them,  to  lal)o]'  for  the  salvation  of  the  nation  for  whom 
he  gave  his  s])lendid  life.  A  resolution  to  secure  funds 
for  such  a  memorial  was  ado])ted,  and  $1,100  was  speedily 
raised.  In  180G  the  Central  Committee  selected  T.  C. 
Britton  as  the  l^at<;'S  IMcmorial  ]\Iissionary,  appropriating 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  I9I 

to  his  return  and  support  the  funds  then  on  hand,  and 
agreeing  to  try  to  raise  a  sufficient  sum  for  his  support 
thereafter.  The  Board  agreed  to  this  decision,  and  Brit- 
ton  and  wife  sailed  for  China  on  January  16,  1897. 

U>."lVEK.SlTy    ASSOCIATIONS. 

As  soon  as  the  Baptist  Female  University  began  to  be 
erected,  the  hearts  of  our  noble  women  began  to  beat 
with  pride  and  respond  with  liberality.  In  1S9S  the 
Woman's  Committee  began  the  organization  of  Univer- 
sity Associations  to  raise  funds  for  the  Female  Univer- 
sity. l\rany  such  societies  were  formed,  and  several  liun- 
dred  d(jllars  have  been  conti'ibuted  by  the  \vomen  for  the 
establishment  of  the  long-wished  for  University  for  Bap- 
tist girls. 

T?KsuT/r  OF  Tilt':  woAfKN^'s   woin^:. 

As  t.hc  (Jrocian  and  Asiatic  women  of  old  cowi'cd  ibi; 
temple  (jf  J)iana  in  b^i^hcsus  with  jirccious  stones,  so  the 
]jaj)tist  women  of  the  Old  North  State  have  given  their 
jewels  and  money  to  advance  the  enterprises  of  the  de- 
nomination. Besides  instructing  the  people  as  to  the 
needs  of  the  State  and  of  the  world,  the  Central  Committee 
in  fourteen  years  contributed  $G2,000  to  tlie  various 
Boards,  averaging  over  $4-, 000  ])er  annum.  The  avo- 
meu's  coutribuliou  in  11)00  was  .$',), 710. S-1-,  by  far  the 
largest  amount  ever  given,  and  over  double  their  average 
for  the  past  years.  The  denomination  should  "receive 
those  womeii  in  the  Lord  '^'  '^'  *  and  assist  them  in  what- 
ever business  they  have  need  of  it." 


192  A  HISTORY  OF  TIIK  IJAPTISTS 


CllAPTEJI  XXVIll. 

CAIMO    volt    VVil    ACiKD     AIl.N  1.STEJ^S.  ^ 

''God  luitli  eliosL'ii  the  ^veak  things  of  the  world  to  con- 
fciuiul  the  things  th;it  arc  niigiiiy."  Wlien  (.mr  ^Master 
\vuiihl  scdect  His  Apostles  to  \vitness  His  niiracdes  and 
testify  to  His  death  and  re'siirrcetion,  Ho  walked  down  by 
the  sea  of  (Jalih'e  and  called  the  humble  tLshcnnen  from 
their  nets  antl  lishing  boats.  So  in  tliese  latter  days  the 
^last(-r  calls  the  puur  of  earth  to  declare  the  "unseareliable 
riches  (if  (Jiiidst''  to  tiu;  wui'ld.  J  Le  steps  into  some  quiet 
cotlage  home  al^ng  ihe  coast,  or  nestling  amid  the  c(j\'es 
of  the  mountains,  lays  J  lis  hand  \ipun  a  ])oor  boy  and 
calls  him  to  preach  '"the  glorious  Gospel  of  the  blessed 
God."  Tliis  has  been  God's  usual  course  among  the  Bap- 
tists of  A'<jrth  Carolina.  These  pooi'  boys  ha\'C  been 
caMeil  into  llie  miiiisli'y  and  dc\'ole  tlicir  li\'es  and  sub- 
^lanco  |o  ihe  spread  ot'  ihc  tbi,s|)cl  and  ihe  sal\'aiion  of 
men.  Al  Jasl  their  [lowers  Tail,  (ihl  age;  sleals  on 
lliem  and  soon  ilu'y  must  lay  down  the  Gospel  sickle. 
Oi'teulimes  ihese  ohi  \'c(i'rans,  by  exposure  for  the 
Gos])el's  sake,  ba\'e  brought  on.  them  diseases  which 
fiisable  them  for  aetivc  services  and  make  them  in- 
cessant sirlTci'ers  in  the  twilight  of  life.  In  the  lan- 
guage of  auotlier,  "fn  a  ^'isionary  cottage  stained  Avilli 
the  ofl'ect.s  of  time  li\'es  the  old  veteran  of  the  Cross.  On 
the  table  lies  tiie  Sword  udlh  wliich  he  has  fought  many 
battles.  On  the  stran(Ls  of  time,  here  and  tluu'e,  are  the 
c  iVect-s  of  his  struggles  which  God  has  enabled  him  to 
overcome.      iJut  by  this  old  table  stands  the  old  cupboai'd 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA,  I  93 

sc'UiitiJy  and  pourly  provided  for.  How  often  the  old  man 
thinks  of  better  days  gone  by,  and  wojiders  why  this  state 
of  affairs.  He  slee]:)S,  and  wakes  only  to  find  it  worse 
and  worse  as  the  days  go  by." 

OJIIGIN    AND    LOCATION    OF    llELIEF    BOARD. 

Though  the  llelief  Board  had  been  talked  in  private 
cauenses  and  around  the  quiet  hearthstone  by  Baptist 
leaders,  yet  it  was  not  formally  adopted  as  a  part  of  the 
Convention's  work  till  May  o,  1890,  when  the  Aged  ]\Lin- 
istcrs'  Relief  Board  was  established  to  raise  and  dispense 
funds  for  tlie  support  of  these  aged  ministers  and  their 
]ie][)less  widows.  Dui'ham  became  the  home  of  tlio  Board./ 
W.  i\  TyvcQ,  }nistor  of  tlie  First  CMiureh,  Durham,  a  grad- 
uate of  BouisviJle  Seminary,  was  elected  President  of  this 
Boar(h  lie  has  made  an  energetic  and  worthy  leader  of 
litis  noble  work.  lie  i-epresented  the  Board  at  i\p30cia- 
tions  and  ( \)iiv('iiti()iis,  and  sought,  lo  hiy  (he  aged  minis- 
ters upon  tlie  hearts  of  (lie  Norlli  ('ai'olina  iJa|)(is(.s.  .1.  \'\ 
JMcDndie,  auolher  Baplisl  pastor  in  Dui'ham  tluMi,  was 
elected  (N)rres])ouding  Secretary,  and  lias  likewise  doiui 
faithful  and  successful  sei'vice  in  advocating  the  import- 
ance of  the  ^linisters'  Belief  Board.  With  these  two  are 
associated  as  members  of  the  Board  some  of  our  most 
aggressive  Baptists. 

DISCO  riiAGEMENTS. 

At  first  (his  Board  did  not  strongly  appeal  to  the  Asso- 
ciations of  the  State,      There  was  no  real  opposition  to  it, 
but  tliere  was  no  active  sympathy  for  it.     As  late  as  lSt)5 
only  20  Associations  had  representatives  for  this  Board, 
13 


194 


A  ilLSTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 


and  only  8  of  lIicsu  sccincd  to  l)e  taking  much  interest  in 
tlic  work  of  the  Board.  Some  of  these  representatives 
would  not  even  respond  to  the  Corresponding'  Secretary 
writing  about  the  needs  of  the  Ijoard.  But  since  that 
time  more  Associations  are  appointing  representatives  of 
the  Belief  Board  and  taking  active  part  in  tlie  support  of 
our  hcli)less  old  ministers. 


oi;:i  ]jei;t   to   tukm. 

Have  the  Baptists  of  the  State  ever  realized  how  vast  a 
debt  they  owe  these  old  soldiers  of  the  Cross  ?  They  have 
lii'l])('(l  to  jiave  llie  way  for  ihe  present  generation.  They 
ma(h'  tli(>  Ixjttoiii  hanl  and  ih'ipciicd  th(;  channel  for  llio 
sniiHiili  sailing  of  Maptists  lu-ihiy.  The  dredging-boa.t  first 
goes  np  tlic  si  ream,  digs  out  tlie  cliannel  and  })reparcs  the 
way  for  the  beantiful  palace  steamer.  So  these  old  min- 
isters have  done  foi'  ns.  'Idiey  have  hUed  up  the  valleys, 
(lug  down  the  hills,  and  made  i!  possible  foi-  us  to  aehie\'e 
the  wondi'ou.-^  ihiiigs  of  llie  present  day.  Presideni  Tyree, 
of  the  Pjoard,  in  1S1)S,  pays  them  the  following  tribute 
oi'  pi'aise:  "'riiese  lathers  in  Israel  deserve  onr  res])ect, 
lionor  and  gratitude,  because  they  were  pioneers  in  many 
sections  of  our  State,  preaching  the  Gospel  in  destitute 
sections,  laying  the  foundations  of  many  of  our  strong 
jind  llourishing  ehiirclies,  *  "'''  ••  with  ImU,  little  if  itny  com- 
]>ensatI(Ui.  ■'•■  ■■'■  ■''■  IJnscltishly,  bravely  and  faithfully  they 
labored,  and  we  have  entei'cd  into  their  ]a1)ors."  How  can 
the  Jlajjtists  of  to-day  let  these  heroes  siiU'er  for  want  (")t' 
bread  or  s])end  their  twiliglil  of  life  benealh  (lie  Ihickening 
shadows  of  ffloom ! 


IN  NORTH  CAROIJNA.  1 95 

TIIEIll  CONDITION. 

They  are  iu  poverty,  but  above  reproach,  and  held  in. 
esteem.  J.  F.  McDuiBe  says:  ''To  live  in  poverty,  and 
yet  to  live  honorably  and  above  reproach,  *  *  *  and  then 
to  bo  turned  down  amid  despondeneey  and  gloom  and  left 
on  tiie  cold  charities  of  the  world,  often  neglected  and 
sometimes  forgotten  by  those  whom  he  loves,  is  enough 
to  make  any  one  feel  dejected  in  afflictions  and  old  age. 
This  is  the  condition  of  some  of  onr  beneiiciaries," 

:\[0m']   OF   APPLICATION. 

Eacli  applicant  i.s  furnislied  with  a  blank  l)y  the  Board, 
and  this  he  must  IllJ  out  satisfactorily,  to  l.)e  endorsed  by 
the  j\toderator  and  l^xecutive  (Committee  of  liis  Associa- 
tion. This  bnsiness-like  metliod  has  made  it  safe  for 
the  Board  and  easy  for  tlio  applicant.  Bev.  Jesse  Howell, 
a  pioneer  of  the  denomination,  had  the  honor  to  be  tlie 
iirsi  i'(>('ci\'(M!  on  (his  Uonrii.  l!a\'iug  recciN'cd  aid  live 
vt'ai's,  he  ])assfd  away  iu  ix'ace,  ISDG.  Al)eut  tliirly  old 
ministers  and  the  saiiu>  numbcsr  of  \\'i(h)ws  of  these  vetei"- 
ans  luivo  bcH'u  helped. 

viuginia's  stimulus  and  the  eoaiid's  expansion, 

••''  iS^orth  Carolina  taught  Virgiu.ia  to  care  for  her  oi'pliaus, 
])Ul  V^ii'ginia  taught  North  (-aroliua  to  can'  Cor  her  aged 
miuistcrs.  ;  Iu  JSiin  Virginia  I'aised  about  $o,()0U  for 
aged  ministers,  and  ai(hMl  52  beneiiciaries,  Norlli  (^arolina 
contribnling  oidy  .$r)Ot>  and  aiding  10  b(!ueHciaries. '  This 
Wiis  used  as  a  hisloi'ical  stiuiuhis  for  cnlai-gemciU.  of  the 
work  iu  our  State.  In  11)00  the  Board  rereived  $1,009.72, 
and  ihe  prosDcets  are  brigliter  for  the  Belief  Work, 


igG  A  HISTORY  OF  TllU.  BAPTISTS 


(MiAPTEU  XXIX. 

THE  CHAUTAUQUA  ,^IOVJ■;^[ENT. 

X.  \l.  15i'i>ugliLi)u  })ui  iliis  iiiu\'L'iiiL'iii  into  opcTMtion 
;in<l  (]vr\v  aruiiiiii  liiin  the  iiiu-k'Us  uf  llic  cxlciisivc  Cliuu- 
iaiu|ii;i  luuvcniL'iiL  of  to-Jay.  This  nuA'cnueut.  began  to 
erystali/c  in  LS!);5,  wlien  the  iirst  annual  Sunday  School 
Ciniiiuuujua  ^vas  lield  in  Xortli  Carolina,  X.  B.  Bruugli- 
ton  was  elected  President,  and  has  continued  in  this  capac- 
ity ever  since,  lie  has  }jlanne(l  and  jjrayed,  as  well  as 
investigated  i'roui  every  possihle  source,  to  strengthen  the 
Chautauijua  luovement.  In  ls!)S  lie  attended  the  Inter- 
riational  Sunday  School  C(jnvention  in  J^ondon  to  learn 
ail  he  could  from  the  largest  Sunday  School  Convention 
in  the  worhl.  Anotlier  sa}s  of  him  :  ''By  gifts,  by  zeal,  by 
S])ecial  devotion,  by  Avillingness  \o  s[)end  and  be  spent, 
"■  •■•  ■■■'■  lu^  is  tht'  h'a(h'r  in  iho  (Miauiaiupui  work.  Xo  one 
can  evci'  uieasni'c  his  worth  to  the  Suiuhiy  School  cause 
in  XorUi  ( \iroliiia." 

d.  C.  Dii'dsong,  Kau'igli,  was  elec'ted  Secretary  and 
Trcasure'r,  wliich  posiiion  ho  faithfuby  hlled  till  the 
summer  of  IS'.)!),  when  R,  X.  Simnis,  Raleigh,  succeeded 
hiui.      The  resignation  of  Birdsong  was  due  to  ill-health. 

TMK     (MIAUTAUCJUA     AXI)     ITS     .vm. 

It  has  been  (h'Hned  b}'  an  emiu(mt  liaptist  of  the  State 
as  follows:  "A  Chautauqua  is  a  rally  in  general  and  a 
school  of  uietlioibs  in  which  iustructio)i  is  oifered  by  lec- 
tures, ex]jericn)ce  and  examples.''  iThe  State  Sunday 
School  Chautatuiua  is  a  rallv  for  tlie  Sunday  School  cause 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  1 97 

find  is  to  give  special  instniction  to  superintendents  and 
leaeliers  in  the  best  methods  of  conducting  Sunday  School 
Avork.  ■  For  over  a  decade  there  has  been  much  eutliusi- 
asni  in  Morth  (Carolina  about  Sunday  Scliool  work,  but, 
to  a  large  extent,  tliis  zeal  has  not  been  well  directed. 
Tliis  ('hautautjua  ujovement  aims  to  give  tlie  leaders  the 
best  available  methods  of  teaching  and  thus  direct  the 
zeal  by  the  hand  of  knowledge. 

Superintendents  have,  in  the  main,  shown  themselves 
ilicom])erent  to  uuuiage  Sunday  Schools.  So,  in  the  Chau- 
tauqua, various  suj)eriutendents  come  in  contact,  relate 
iheir  respective  uiethods,  and  are  all  instructed  by  each 
other's  experience.  Teachers,  h"ke\vise,  liave,  in  the  main, 
shown  tliemselves  iLot  ac(pniinted  with  mociern  methods 
of  teacliing.  So  the  (^hautau(|uas  discuss  the  \'arious  meth- 
ods of  teaching.  Tn  fact,  the  Cliautauqua  is  a  kind  of 
normal  institute  for  tin;  Iraining  of  Sunihiy  Scliool  teach- 
ers, '['here  is  as  mucli  iuhmI  oF  (licse  normal  iiisl  il  iilcs  i'or 
Sunday  School  teachei's  (o  leiii-n  how  lo  U'ach  as  ihci'c  is 
for  public  scliool  normals  to  train  teachers  ol"  day  schools. 
,1.  \\^  Bailey  says:  "■Sunday  Scliools  are  strong  at  every 
])oint  savt!  one;  *  '•^'  *  it  is  weak  bcn-ause  its  superinteudenls 
r.nd  teachers  are  unfit.  '^Idie  highest  culture  and  the  rich- 
est commoji  sense  are  not  too  go(Ml  foi*  a  teachei'  of  an 
infant  class  or  a  dozen  boys  or  girls.'" 

THE   ArOUXTAlX    CI  I  ATJ'rAUQUA. 

In  ISDS  the  Western  lhi])tists  met  in  a  (Mniutau(]iuu 
It  has  held  only  two  annual  meetii\gs,  but  these  have 
helped  to  marshal  tlie  forces  of  the  west,  T.  ]\[.  Iloney- 
cutt,    ^lars    ITill,    was    elected    Presidents      The    h'astern 


ICjS  A   IlISTORV  OK  Tlili  JiA  I'TISTS 

Ji;i})rists  found  it  (.Iclitiiitfnl  to  ciiiiib  the  Avesteru  moun- 
taiii.'j^  to  snuil'  their  biiliny  brue/e,  and  deliver  speeches 
that  bi'in^'  the  western  brethren  into  u  nobler  atmospliere 
K't   Suiiday  S^'hool  work. 

EO U CA TION AL  ELEMENT. 

AVe  have  only  to  revert  to  a  programme  of  IbOO  to  be 
impressed  with  tlio  uplifting  and  educating  power  wielded 
by  these  Chaiitauquas :  Matthew's  Gospel;  The  Bible  Au- 
thority for  Sunday  Schools;  ]\Iark's  Gospel;  The  Sumlay 
School  Atmospliere;  What  is  the  Child's  Worth?;  Luke's 
Gospel;  flow  to  Interest  Our  People  in  Sunda}'  School 
W<n'k,  etc. 

YOUXG    MV:N    in    the    ITtONT. 

Kxcepting  J\'.  Ij.  EroughLon,  the  leaders  in  this  nun-e- 
ment  are  usually  young  men,  alive  to  the  issues  of  the  day 
and  on  tire  Avilh  zeal  i'or  ihe  .Master's  kingdom.  The 
genius  of  the  yuuug  Ihi|)tists  of  the  State  is  consecrated 
to  Christ,  and  the  denomination  nuiy  well  l)e  proud  of 
th(^  stand  its  young  men  havi-  taken  in  the.-^e  onward  ]mi\'e- 
mculs.  Ahdul  teu  \'ears  a.iin,  U.  \''aiide\'entei',  tlien  j)as- 
tor  in  Henderson,  sought  to  organize  the  Eaptist  young 
])eo])le  in  the  State,  Init  his  cft'orts  Avere  not  entirely  suc- 
cessful. In  ISO 9  another  rally  was  made  by  leaders 
throughout  tlie  State,  csjiccially  by  Dr.  Pdackv/eli,  of  Wil- 
mington. At  the  Convention  in  Asheville  great  progress 
was  nmde  in  the  organization  of  the  young  people.  A 
liopei'ul  featui'e  of  the  Clmutamjua  is  that  it  is  being  pushed 
by  these  young  men.  On  the  other  hand,  the  influ(Mice 
of  the  Cliautauqua  on  the  young  people  has  been  extensive, 
and  will  be  lasting,     This  rhoveinent  means  organization- 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  1 99 

of  the  young  people  as  well  as  the  advancement  of  tlio 
Sunday  School  canso.  Indeed,  the  two  react  on  each 
other.  In  this  movement  have  been  snch  leaders  as  Bai- 
ley, White,  Spilman,  the  Moores,  the  Keslers,  J.  P. 
S])encc,  Anderson,  etc. 

ItESULTS. 

oS'.  B.  Broughton  said  in  one  of  his  Chautauqua 
speeclies:  ''Give  the  children  opportunity  and  the  world 
service."  This  sentence  sounds  the  keynote  of  the  move- 
ment. It  seeks  to  reach  the  children  through  the  Sunday 
Scliool  and  thus  give  the  world  servants  of  the  Lord.  In 
the  hnguage  of  another,  "The  Sunday  School  has  acquired 
iiiqx'tus  at  a  splendid  rate  these  last  several  years,  y^o 
dej)artment  of  our  work  is  more  promising.  Much  is 
cwed  to  the  faitliful  efforts  of  Broughton  and  Spilman.  It 
oecomes  us  every  ono  to  follow  their  lead,  and  support 
tliis  cause  with  all  our  hearts.  It  is  the  first  bi'anch  of 
cliurch  educational  work."  'Jf  the  outward  machinery  of 
til  is  movement  should  change  in  tlic  coming  years,  tlio 
inlhience  it  has  already  exerted  will  never  die. 


20O 


A  HISTORY  OF  TIIH  BAPTISTS 


CHAPTEII  XXX. 

OUR   in:i;0Es  AintoAD. 

A'ortli  Carolina  was  the  lir.st  uf  all  the  Southern  States 
to  iiive  a  ]j(.'ririanent  inissioiiai-y  to  the  hinds  heyonJ  the 
sea.  Matlhew  'J'.  \'aies  had  decided  to  go  to  China,  and 
was  preparing  himself  at  Wake  Forest  College  even  hc- 
fore  tlie  Southern  J']a])tist  Con\'ention  ^vas  /(jrnied,  18-iu,/ 
In  the  pers(.in  oi'  Vales,  Xoi'ih  Car(jlina  gave  to  China  a 
consecrated  son  who  rivals,  in  niisslonar}'  grandeur,  Carey 
of  Kngland  and  -ludson  of  Xew  England.  Though  Dr. 
]\[on'ison  had  entered  Chiini  for  the  Methodists  prior  to 
Yates,  yel  at  his  .death,  ISST,  Matthew  T.  Yates  was  re- 
garded among  th(>  al)lest  missionaries  in  the  (\destiiil 
Knipire. 

'riiK  siFAXOiiAr  .\[rssi(>"x. 

^'ates  and  his  wife,  Se]ilemlter  12,  lS-17,  arrived  in 
Sliaiighai,  ("iiiiia,  and  made  llial.  popnlons  healhen  (diy 
the  scene  of  llieii'  li['ed<mg  lahors.  Only  two  Clii'istians 
in  a  ciiy  (d'  -100,000  heallien  !  The  Slnmu'liai  !Ja])tisL 
Cinii'ch  was  organized  on  _Xo\'end)er  G,  1847.  Then  1)C- 
gan  till'  sti'uggle  for  rcH'Ognition.  Vov  years  tlie  lonely 
missi(uiaries  Inid  to  toil  and  ]U'a_Y  heforc  the  Chinese  could 
see  their  nohle  mission  ami  nn^el^sh  sacriilce.  But  Yates 
with  Ins  i()\'cly  life  and  Ix'auiifid  dc\'otion  lo  Cllirisl  was 
nnloi-king  tlio  gales  of  a  mighty  Empire.  His  was  ])ionecr 
woi'h,  hut  immy  native  \\'0]'laM's  were  raisi^l  up  to  perpet- 
uate Ihe  glorious  cause.  So  ^\'hen  Yates  hud  down  the 
Gospel  sickle,  1SS7,  he  was  loved  and  honoi-ed  hy  the 
little  Shanghai  chui'ch,  and  many  natives  dropped  their 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  •  201 

tears  of  affection  upon  his  bier  as  they  left  his  body  to 
sleep  in  the  cemetery  of  Shanghai, 

•OTllEKS  FOLLOAV. 

li.  T.  Bryan  and  wife  were  jS^orth  Carolina's  next  living 
contribution  to  China. '  Bryan,  though  having  graduated 
with  honor  from  the  Universitj'  of  is'^orth  Carolina,  cared 
not  for  honors  from  men,  but  wished  to  increase  the  glory 
of  Clirist  on  earth.  So  he  and  Mrs.  Brj^an  laid  themselves 
upon  the  altar  of  God  for  service  in  China.  Then  fol- 
lowed Cliappell  and  Tatuni  shortly  after  (18S8).  With 
^'Mother  Yates"  to  cheer  them,  tlie  new  missionaries  en- 
tered entliusiasticalh'  into  the  labors  of  the  fallen  licru, 
'hhen  followed  T.  C.  Britton  and  wife,  188U,  from  tho 
West  Chowan  Association.  Britton,  as  ^veJl  as  Cliappell 
and  Tatum,  was  educated  at  ^Vakc  Forest.  All  those  sons 
of  Nfjrth  Carolina  Jhaptists  liave  proclainuM]  the  glorious 
Gospel  ill  China  over  a  decade.  As  a  residt  of  the  woi'lc 
starled  in  Shanghai,  ihcrc  whtc,  in  IS',)',),  ;;  churclics  and 
'lOS  niemhcrs,  2  cluirchcs  in  C'hinhiang  wilh  ahoiil  i^") 
members.  'I'hc  C'hinkiang  Mission,  was  i)[HMied  by  \'ales, 
18S0,  and  has  been  snccessfnlly  ludd  l)y  Chai)])e1]  since 
tlie  deatli  of  \^iles.  Besiik's  the  above  cluirches,  Siicliow, 
(}iiinsan  and  Yang  Oliow,  large  cities  near  by,  have  been 
opened  to  the  Gospel  by  these  Xorth  Carolina  missionaries. 
]i.  ^^^  Pierce  h'ads  llu'  wiirl';  at  ^'ang  Chow.  TaUiin  and 
Bryan  mab'c  toui's  to  Qiiinsan  to  pn^ach  as  often  as  ])ossi- 
blc.  Sucliow  was  first  occupied  by  Britton,  and  a  glo- 
rious worlc  lias  been  done  there.  Aliss  Lottie  Price  is 
located  at  Slianohai. 


202  A   HISTORY  Ol-   THK  BAPTISTS 

SHANGHAI    ASS(.)CIATIOXi5    AND    SCHOOLS. 

ill  181)1  tliese  little  churches  were  or<^;uiizcd  into  the 
Sliaii<;hai  Association,  and  11.  T.  Bryan,  a  good  scholar 
in  Chinkiang  and  Shanghai  dialects,  as  well  as  in  English, 
was  elected  j\loderator.  It  was  asked  at  once.  What  shall 
\ve  do  at  an  Association  in  C^liiiui  ?  The  answer  prom])tly 
came.  Appoint  committees  on  missions  and  education. 
This  Association,  with  only  130  members,  gave,  in  ISUS, 
over  $100  to  missions,  tliat  is,  about  $1.00  per  head.  For 
the  same  year  the  Baptists  of  ^orth  Carolina  gave  less 
than  t.wenty-five  cents  apiece  to  missions  and  education. 
Our  missionai'ies  knew  that  education  was  the  hope  of 
China.  There  arc  ('»  schools  under  the  Shanghai  J\lis- 
sion  conducted  by  Xerlh  ('arolina  jiien  ami  women. 
These  schools  are  self-supporting,  and  in  them  the  chil- 
dren are  learning  Western  civilization  and  imbibing  the 
])rinci jiles  of  Chrisi ianily.  ddius  ('hina,  ihrough  the 
etlucated  tiiihlren,  is  dc^stincd  to  be  cA'angelized. 

C.VXTO.X      .MISSIO.N 0.      W.     (.!  IMvIC.N  E,     K'VC. 

Dr.  [I.  11.  Craves  o])ened  this  Missii,)n  in  18i0.  G.  W. 
Greene  resigned  the  Professorship  of  Latin  in  AVake  For- 
est College  and  in  1802  settled  in  Canton  as  a  missionary 
of  tlie  Southern  Baptist  Conventio}].:  Early  in  181)9, 
j\riss  Anna,  his  daughtei',  began  ^vork  in  the  same  city. 
In  "isD'J  there  wwc.  S  churches  in  Canton,  with  a  meralior- 
shi])  of  over  1,000,  and  there  ^\■cre  13  C'liristian  seliools 
shedding  forth  the  light  of  Western  civilization  in  Iho 
''Sunny  South"  of  China.  In  llJOO  the  China  Baptist  Pub- 
lication Society  was  organized  in  Canton. 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  203 

GOSPEL    MISSION    PLAX. 

Those  who  opposed  iiloards  adopted  what  is  called  "The 
Gospel  Mission  Plan."  Jlev.  D.  W.  Herring,  mission- 
ary to  China  several  years,  was  the  greatest  advocate  of 
this  plan.  F.  M.  Iiojall  and  others  liavo  labored  nnder 
the  Gospel  j\Iission  Flan, 

LATER    MISSIOJN'AEIES. 

Miss  Fannie  Knight,  edncated  at  Murfreeshoro,  went 
out  alone  from  the  Chowan  Association  to  give  her  life 
to  China.  J.  C.  Owen,  raised  among  the  mounlains  of 
the  ^vesl,  educated  at  Wake  I'orest,  was  accepted  b}'  the 
Board,  Alay,  1891),  and  sailed  for  China  tlie  fol]o\\'ing 
fall.  He  is  now  associated  with  Dr.  Hartwell  at  Tung 
CJiOw,  .Northern  China.  JMr.  Owen,  at  the  Western  Con- 
vention, Asheville,  1804,  put  into  the  missionary  box  a 
sli])  of  pai)cr  on  wliicli  was  written,  ''Myself."  Since  he 
has  been  getting  ready  for  China,  W.  E.  Crocker,  a  son  of 
A'orth  (^arolina,  a  graduate  of  Wake  Forest,  and  once  a 
missionary  in  China  on  the  Gosj^el  Mission  Plan,  was 
adopted  by  llie  Broad  Iliver  Association,  South  Carolina, 
as  a  missionary  to  China.  He  went  out  in  1890.  Mrs. 
Janie  P.  Duggan  w'ent  out  from  xsForth  Carolina  and 
labored  in  Mexico  a  few  years,  but  is  now  at  work  in 
Puerto  Rico.  C.  J.  F.  Anderson  sailed  for  Rome,  Haly, 
in  1000.  In  all,  ISTorth  Carolina  Baptists  have  given  to 
China,  Mexico,  and  the  Avorld  nearly  forly  men  and  wo- 
men to  carry  tlic  ghid  tidings  of  salvation  to  the  lieathen. 
INo  other  State  has  sent  out  in  "fifty  years  an  equal  number 
of  brave  men  and  women  to  preacli  the  Gospel  in  lands 
beyond  the  seas. 


204  -^  HISTORY  OK  TIIK  JiAPTISTS 

CIEArXER   XXXI. 

xoirni   CAi{0].i.\A  baptlsts  in  litekatuue. 

X'ortli  Carolina  Baptists  have  no  Sliakespcarc,',  Long- 
follow  or  'J'cniivsiin  in  poetry;  no  Edwards,  Spencer  or 
De  Cartes  in  ])liilosoplij ;  no  Faraday,  llersdiel  or  Lyell 
iji  seienec ;  no  Ereseott,  ^laeanlay  or  Gibljon  in  liistoi-y — 

yet   there    have   been    fonnd    aniong    them    some    eminent 
writers. 

wfT.r.iAM  T.   i;i;A.vrLKV. 

William  d\  Hrantley,  ]).!).,  was  born  in  Chatham 
Connty,  January,  1787,  autl  was  graduated  from  South 
Cari)Iina  College,  ISOS.  A\'liile  pastor  of  the  Eajitist 
ehureh  in  lieaulort,  S.  (J.,  he  gaw  the  earliest  eil'usions 
of  his  sehohiidy  jien,  over  the  signature  of  ''Theophiius," 
to  the  American  lltiplisl  JiJa<jazlni'.  then  })ublished  in  Bos- 
ton, ^lass.  Says  au  eminent  critic:  '''rhese  articles  were 
read  and  re-read,  and  laid  up  iimoug  ihc  select  treasui'cs 
of  memory.''  Al  llu.'  dcdieatioii  of  ihe  First  Haplist 
Church,  Augusta,  CJa.,  Dr.  lirautley  preached  the  sermon 
on,  ''The  iJcauly  and  Siabilily  oi'  Cos])el  Institutions." 
It  was  indjlished,  and  a  judicious  critic  says  of  it:  ''This 
sermon  is  evidently  the  production  of  a  man  of  learning 
and  uenius.  It  is  everywhere  forcibly,  and  in  many  places 
elo(pieutly,  written."  In  1S27  he  became  the  editor  of 
the  Cdlii iiihidii  Shir,  then  ownt'd  by  the  Ihiplist  Trieuuial 
Convention,  Philadel])hia,  Pa.  He  also  published  a  vol- 
ume of  the  sermons  pi'enched  in  his  church,  ddiis  book 
of  sermons  ^vas  so  ])<")puhn'  that  tlu'  whole  edition  Avas  sooii 
sold  and  a  new  edition  had  to  be  published  to  supply  the 
demand.  His  style  was  lofty  and  dignified,  and  often 
rose  to  the  eloquent  and  snblimc. 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  205 


s.  J.  wiieelJ':r, 


J)i-.  Wheeler  was  an  eminent  physician  who  lived  in 
J\rurfi'eesLoi'o,  !N,  C,  was  well  edncated  and  exerted  a 
threat  iniluenee  in  all  the  section.  About  the  middle  of 
the  nineteenth  century  he  wrote  the  "History  of  the  Me- 
herrin  (."hurcli,"  the  second  oldest  amon<2,'  the  Baptists  of 
ihe  State.  He  was  the  first  Baptist  in  jSTorth  Carolina 
that  wrote  the  history  of  a  Baptist  church.  His  History 
extends  from  17:^9  to  1847,  and  contains  striking  allusions 
tu  nuuiy  of  the  old-time  Baptist  preachers — Burkitt,  Ross, 
Daniel,  1'homps(jn  and  others. 


OEOlUfE    W.     I'URKIOY. 


Elder  George  W.  Purefoy  was  the  first  JSTorth  Carolina 
Baptist  that  wrote  the  history  of  an  Association,  the  Sandy 
Creek.  In  1S5S  Elder  Pnrefoy  ])i-eac]ied  tlie  ccnrciiiiial 
siM'iiion  before  the  Sajidy  (^reck  Association,  in  whicli  lui 
li'aced  tlie  glorious  ancestry  of  tlie  ]S!orlh  ('aroliua  Bap- 
lisls,  and  reciled  the  splendid  achievements  of  the  motlier 
Association.  This  sermon  he  enlarged  into  tlic  History 
of  the  Sandy  (Jreek  Association,  an  accurate  and  complete 
record  of  the  body  back  to  1S05,  there  being  no  records 
prior  to  this  date.  Tlie  style  of  this  History  is  plain  and 
simple,  but  interesting  and  instructive. 


.lonx  w.   MooKM':. 


John  W,  Moore  vv^as  tho  first  Baptist  in  the  State  to 
wield  his  pen  in  writing  secular  history.  He  was  born 
in  Hertford  County,  and  was  a  member  of  Bethle- 
hem Baptist  Church.  Mr.  Moore  was  an  enthusiastic 
student  of  iSTorth  Carolina  history,  and  published  his  His- 


206  A  HISTORY  OF  THE  JiAPTISTS 

toi'v  of  Xurili  Cai'uliiia,  in  two  voliinics,  in  ISSO.  Tie 
J-)  an  ai'ciiralu  iiud  ri'lialtli!  lii-^lurian,  and  has  written  the 
liisLury  of  rlie  State  in  an  interesting  style.  Plis  compact 
History  in  one  volnnie,  endorsed  by  tlie  State  Board  of 
luhieation,  luis  been  nsed  many  years,  not  only  in  public 
selioolSj  bnt  al-o  in  maiiy  private  schools  in  tlie  State. 

CIIAKLES    LEE    SMITH. 

]\li'.  Sniilh  has  done  a  service  whicli  makes  his  name 
^V(Jrrhy  of  mcnlioniug  among  the  literary  men  of  the  State. 
lie  was  gj'aduatcd  from  Wake  Forest  College,  then  entered 
Jcilins  llojildns  irniv'crsity.  While  J'^elhjw  in  History 
and  Politics  here,  lie  wrote  the  History  of  IMncatioii  iu 
Xorth  Carolina,  whieh  was  jjublished  in  Washington,  I). 
C,  ISSS.  'Jdiis  Hisiory  is  an  ontline  record  of  tlu;  lead- 
ing schools  and  colleges  in  the  State  as  far  back  as  colo- 
nial (hiys,  U'lling  of  the  rise  and  growth  of  the  ])nb]ic 
scliools,  the  rni\'er>it\',  and  llie  deiKMninational  eoUeges. 
He  is  now  Professor  in  William  -li'Well  College,  ^Miss(juri. 

J.    I).     nUI'MIA^M. 

In  LSG7  Ivev.  J.  I).  Hufham,  1X1).,  published  a  ]\remoir 
of  Ivev.  rl.  L.  Pritchard.  This  l)o<)k  was  written  in  Huf- 
ham's  characteristic  liowing  style.  With  graphic  deline- 
ations he  takes  the  sn]>ject  i:)f  his  niemoir  from  his  humble 
liome  in  Pasquotank,  through  his  struggles  in  youth.  Ids 
attainme]its  at  College,  his  incessant  labors  for  the  Master, 
ami  his  beautiful  life  of  devotion  to  Christ,  closing  it 
all  with  his  ])eaceful  and  trium])hant  death  at  the  hands 
of  yello^\'  fevei',  1SG2.  With  his  skilful  ]^en  he  lays  bare 
the  private  life  of  sweet  communion  with  God  and  his 


IN  NORTH  CAROUNA.  207 

public  life  of  glorious  sacrifice  for  men.  But  Iluflium's 
greiilcsL  service  has  been  the  gathering  of  Baptist  histor}' 
in  connection  with  the  Baptist  Historical  Papers^  begim 
at  Henderson,  N.  C,  1S9G.  AVith  a  patriotic  soul  and 
a  tenacious  niemory  he  has  been  well  qualified  to  gather 
up  form  the  shores  of  the  past  the  broken  bits  of  early 
history  among  tlie  i^Torth  Carolina  Baptists. 

CJIAIILES    E.     TAYLOR. 

liev.  C.  E.  Taylor,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  was  graduated  from 
tJie  University  of  Virginia,  and  is  one  of  the  most  accom- 
plished scholars  in  Xorth  Carolina.  His  letters  in  the 
llccordcr  about  tlie  work  of  tlie  College  and  the  cause  of 
general  education,  are  written  in  an  easy,  simple  and  en- 
thusiastic style.  In  1SU5  he  wrote  "How  Far  Should  a 
State  Undertake  to  Educate?'^ — an  able  and  scholarly 
pam])]ilet  advocating  the  voluntary  principle  in  higher 
education,  and  denying  the  I'iglit  of  the  State  to  a])iu'o- 
priate  the  ]ie<)j)le\s  money  to  higher  edu.cation.  This  pam- 
jjhlct  ^v;^s  popular,  and  wielded  a  powerful  influence  for 
denominational  colleges.  Life  and  Laliors  of  .Matthew  T. 
Yates,  published  about  tlirec  years  ago,  is  an  inspiration 
to  every  Baptist  that  reads  it.  With  holy  pride  and  power 
he  recites  the  scenes  of  Yates'  life  and  labors.  It  is  now 
placed  in  all  the  Ba])tist  libraries,  Xorth  and  South,  and 
',\']ierever  read  is  an  impetus  to  missions. 

THOMAS    E.     SKINNER. 

Eor  years  Kev.  T.  K.  Skinner,  D.D.,  was  pastor  of  the 
First  Baptist  Church,  Kaleigh.  About  tliree  years  ago 
The  Addresses  and  Sermons  of  Dr.  Thomas  E.  Skinner 
were  ]uiblislied,  and  found  extensive  sale  among  the  Bap- 
tists of  the  State.  .     •' 


208  A   IIISTOKY  OF  Tlili  BAPTISTS 

^'I•:l•:l)IlA.M   n.  loiui. 

Tilt'  Jja[)tist  AliiKiuae  was  sUirtccl  by  Ivov.  \.  JJ.  Cobb, 
]).!).,  scN'cral  years  a^(j,  and  has  been  published  by  liim 
aiimially  till  liu;  present.  It  lias  contained  valuable  bits 
of  ]Ja]>tist  history  each  year,  and  the  biographies  of  emi- 
uent  Ihiprisls  in  ihe  Staie.  lie  also  wrote  the  Tlistory  of 
the  (Ailonial  lja])tisls,  from  their  origin  tu  the  Batlle  of 
.Mainanci'.  As  statistician  of  the  State  Convention,  1  )i". 
("ol)b  lias  rendered  g'reat  service  in  preserving  the  figures 
and  facts  of  Baptist  history  in  Xorth  Carolina. 

T  IK)  .MAS     II  [J  Ml':. 

One  tif  the  tliiest  iMiglish  .seholai'S  in  A'^orth  (Carolina  is 
iiev.  'i'hoinas  Hume,  I).!).,  Lh.I).,  Professor  of  the  fhig- 
lish  Language  and  Literature  in  the  University  at  Cha[)el 
Ililh  His  literary  jU'oductious  are  fine,  but  few.  With 
his  I'liylhmic  pen  he  bears  th(^  reader  gently  on,  as  if 
U])on  the  i)hieid  bosom  of  some  (piiet  rix'er.  ilis  a.rlicles 
to  \';irioiis  ))erio(lie:ils  are  bright  and  precious  pearls  of 
])UiH'si  Luglish.  Ilis  eonli'ibiilions  to  tlu^  Xorth.  (^p.'olina 
liajilisl  Historical  Papers  ai'c  sch.olariy  and  valmible,  his 
"-lohii  Alilton  and  the  !]a])tists"  bein.g  one  of  the  best 
])a])ers. 

Atlv'S.    .tAMK    1'.    nUCCAN. 

Mrs.  hiiugan  is  the  sisier  of  .Mrs.  1  )i'.  Tayloi-,  \\'al<e 
forest,  and  is  the  \vido\v  ot'  I)r.  l)n'i''''an,  Professor  of 
(■luMiiislry  at  ^Vake  l<\n'(\st  at  his  death.  Since  her  Inis- 
liand's  death,  she  has  devoted  mut;h  of  her  lime  to  literary 
work.  She  \vrote'*A  Mexican  liauchjOr  lieauty  for  iVshes,^' 
a  cliarming  story,  which  won  for  the  author  a  $500  prize. 
It  beautifullv  sets  forth  tlie  oblia'ation  of  those  avIio  havG 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  209 

tlie  Chri^itiaii  light  to  impart  it  to  others.  "TliG  Scnora's 
Graiiddaiighlors,"  ])iih]i.slic'd  hy  the  Aiiicn'icaii  baptist  Pub- 
lication Society,  1S9U,  was  the  second  of  ]\[rs.  Diig-gan's 
stories  of  Mexican  life.  It  pictures  school  life,  and  gives 
an  idea  of  the  Itomish  Chnrcli  in  Mexico.  She  is  still 
writing  religiotis  stories  for  the  above  Society. 

J.    F.    LOVE. 

This  yonng  author  was  born  in  Elizabeth  City,  jST.  C, 
and  was  educated  at  Wake  Forest.  ''The  Baptist  Po- 
sition," written  by  him,  is  a  logical  and  Scriptural  expo- 
sition of  the  distinctive  doctrines  of  Baptists,  "The  South- 
ern Ba})tist  Pulpit,''  edited  by  him,  contains  ;];'  sermons 
preaclicd  by  eminent  Southern  divines. 

OTHER   WRITERS. 

Among  these  may  be  mentioned  the  Dixons,  especially 
A.  C,  now  of  Boston,  ]\[ass. ;  the  Poteats,  I^roC.  W.  !.., 
of  Wake  Forest,  Avhoso  religious  and  scientitic  j)a])crs  aro 
considered  among  the  choicest,  and  Dr.  E.  M.,  who  writes 
for  seva^ral  Baptist  inagazines;  Joh.n  A.  Oatcs,  (alitor  of 
the  Nurlh  Carolina  Baplial,  and  a  vigorons  writer;  Rev. 
CJ.  A.  G.  Thomas,  a  favorite  correspondent  to  Ba]itist 
periodicals,  iSTorth  and  South ;  TI.  0.  ]\roore,  the  popular 
writer  of  the  Sunday  School  lessons  for  tlie  Jiccordcr; 
]''rof,  A,  T.  liobcrlsoii,  Louisville  The()logical  Seminary, 
anthor  of  ''Life  and   Letters  of  dohn   A.   Broadus." 


14 


210  A  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS 


CIIAJ^TKli  XXXII. 

i;k\'ik\v,  viiow,  AXb  i'i:i:vn:\v. 

L(.'L  us  close  with  ;i  bird'^-cyo  view  of  the  Baptists  of 
the  State. 

\l  the  closu  of  1727  only  one  church  stood  to  represent 
the  Jja])tist  faith  in  North  Carolina.  By  17U0  there  were 
0+  chtirehes,  with  a  membership  of  7,503;  that  is,  in  G3 
yeai's  oiu'  rhui'ch  had  blossomed  into  94  and  7  members 
had  prodnrcd  a  li;ir\'est  of  7,r)0;5.  By  1830,  in  one  cen- 
tury, lt|  eluirclics  had  multi])liod  into  272,  and  the  7,503 
iiicmlicrs  h;id  inci'easf<l  to  15,3ii();  that  is,  in  forty  yeai's 
the.  eliuj'chcs  had  been  nearly  trebled  and  the  members 
over  doid)li,'il.  By  JSOO,  before  the  war  clotid  broke  upon 
us  in  furv,  there  were  ()1)2  chtirehes  and  5I),77S  members; 
thai  is,  in  thirty  years  the  churches  liad  Ix'cn  much  more 
lliau  douI)led  and  the  iueml)ers  liad  increased  almost  fotir- 
fold.  By  l.s7(i  there  were  1,4  1-2  cluirches,  with  a  meni- 
bersld])  of  137,000;  that  is,  in  IG  years,  thouj>'h  four  of 
them  had  been  si)ent  in  civil  war  and  four  more  in  recon- 
structi()n,  the  churches  had  l)ecn  more  than  doitbled  and 
till,'  membershi])  abnost  trelded.  Of  course,  we  include 
the  coloi'etl  churches  in  tlie  last  fi;2,'ures.  Tn  iSSd  there 
were  2.2M5  eliurebes,  with  a  iiieuri'crsldp  of  238,000; 
that  is,  we  had  iiicr(\ised  in  churches  nearly  (JO  per  cent 
and  in  membership  almost  doubh'd,  in  ten  years.  By 
iSDIi  lliere  wei'e  nearly  2,S0()  ehurclies  and  about  325,000 
members,  an  incrt'ase  of  -10  per  cent  in  ten  years.  ]''or 
the  last  twenty  years  the  inci'ease  has  been  125  jicr  cent; 
for  the  twenty  years  before,  that  is,  bacrk  to  185G,  the  in- 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  211 

crease  was  about  tlie  same.  For  tlie  t^venty-five  years  be- 
fore, that  is,  back  to  1831,  the  increase  was  a  little  over 
125  per  cent.  This  gives  ns  the  numerical  review. 
'  Since  1832,  that  is,  in  sixty-eight  years,  the  Baptists 
of  JS^orth  Carolina  have  founded  a  State  paper  that  stands  / 
among  the  first  of  the  South  or  North.  They  have  founded 
a  College  that  ranks  among  the  first  denominational  col- 
leges of  the  United  States.  In  the  west  they  have  built 
Judson  and  j\rars  Hill  Colleges.  They  have  established 
Murfreesboro,  Oxford  and  the  Female  University  to  edu- 
cate tlieir  daughters.  They  have  given  China,  Africa 
and  Mexico  nearly  forty  men  and  women  as  foreign  mis- 
sionaries, besides  filling  witli  useful  and  nolde  preachers 
liundreds  of  pulpits  in  Soutli  Carolina,  Virginia,  Geor- 
gia, Florida,  Mississippi,  Tennessee,  Alabama,  Texas, 
Louisiana,  Arkansas,  ^lissoiiri,  Iventucky,  Maryland, 
Fennsylvania,  Ist'w  JcH-sey,  iVTew  York,  Connecticut,  ]\[as- 
sachusetts,  Illinois,  Indiana,  Colorado,  Washington  and 
California.  They  have  taught  Virginia  and  South  Caro- 
lina liow  to  care  for  their  orphans,  and  the  otlier  denom- 
inations of  I^orth  Carolina  to  build  orphanages  for  their 
helpless  children.  They  liave  taught  tlie  world  that  Ba])- 
tist  principles  need  only  to  be  preaclied  in  their  purity 
and  simplicity  in  order  to  be  believed  and  cherished.  They 
liave  taught  Christendom  by  example  how  to  lay  upon  tlu! 
nllnr  of  missions  (ho  promising  lives  uf  (heir  besL  and 
brightest  young  inen  and  women.  'J'^his  is  the  review, 
(!(lncationally  and  religionsly. 

■ri\B  VIEW  TO-DAY. 

The  Baptists  of  the  State  are  a  host  stretching  on  toward 
350,000    conmiunicants.      There   arc  only    a  little    over 


212  A   lilSTURV  OF  TIIK  iSAPTISTS 

7(<0,(H)U  i-liiircli  lueiuber.s  uf  all  dcnuiiiinarious  in  llie 
StaU',  so  llial  al)()iu  (JiK'-liall'  tliu  actual  church  incnibcrs 
uf  tJi(_'  Stale  hi'loiii;-  lu  the  I>a]>tist  Cliurch.  The  regular 
]\[i.ssiouary  iJaptists  are  juure  than  thirty-five  times  as 
strong-  as  all  the  J^[)iscupalians,  nearly  ten  times  as  numer- 
ous as  all  kiud.T  of  J^reshyterians,  and  nuinher  nearly 
iiO,()(.)0  more  than  all  sorts  of  .Methodists  in  the  State. 
North  Carolina  is  fotirth  among  the  Southern  States  in 
numerical  strength.  Texas,  Georgia  and  \''irginia  out- 
ntimher  North  Carolina,  Init  in  Virginia  and  Georgia  their 
large  numbers  are  due  to  the  colored  Baptists.  Xorth 
(\ii'(dina  llajjiists  nuud)er  one-eighth  of  all  the  I]a])tists  in 
the  South,  oiie-tw'elflh  of  all  llie  IJaptists  in  llie  rnited 
Slales,  and  oue-l'our(eeu(h  of  all  the  Jhiptisls  in  the  windd. 
In  education  the  liaptisUs  of  Noi'th  Garolina  are  at 
theii'  best.  Nearly  (JOO  young  men  are  at  Wake  l^^)i'est 
and  Mars  Hill.  Aboul  ^>()i)  Iniplist  girls  are  (pialfing 
ihe  stream  of  higher  educnlion  al  Murfreesbdi'o,  Oxford 
loiil  the  iJajMisI  j'^emale  I 'lii\'ei-^ily,  besides  hiindi'eds  and 
e\'en  tin/usauds  of  iJapli.-,!  boys  and  girls  are  leai'iiing  at 
scoi'cs  ol'  high  schools  and  academies.  l)i\  Kilgo,  I'resi- 
di'ut  (d'  Trinity  Gollege  (Methodist),  says  of  tlie  Noi'lh 
Carolina  l]aj)lisis:  '"The  N^ortli  C^arolina  Ba])tists  ar(>  a 
mighty  host,  tilling  all  sections  of  the  State,  and  exercis- 
ing themsel\'(s  e^'ery\vh(U•e  to  extend  tlie  kingdom  of  God. 
They  are  full  of  euei'u'y,  and  bold  in  belie\dng  and  declar- 
ing their  faith.  ••"  ■"  '^'  They  ]nit  emphasis  on  'Go  ye  into  all 
the  world,'  and  they  have  gone  everywhere,  except  whei'e 
tliey  ha\'e  not  gone,  and  they  are  on  th(>  way  to  those  re- 
gions. In  education  your  ])e0])le  are  A\isely  aggressiA'e. 
Wake  Forest,  with  Dr.  Taylor,  stands  at  the  head  of  your 


IN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  213 

schools.  Past  decades  have  brought  from  this  centre  the 
life  and  foree  of  the  Jjaptist  churches,  and  given  to  the 
State  much  of  its  strength.  Under  Dr.  Taylor  the  work 
continues,  and  Baptist  people  increase  in  numbers  and  in 
grace.  l^o\v  the  University  for  women  is  ready  to  begin. 
Tliese  Baptist  folk  arc  blessed  with  a  great  paper.  *  '■•■  ''' 
For  all  these  good  things  among  the  Baptists  I  presume  to 
say  to  them,  a  great  responsibility  for  the  right  use  of 
those  things  is-  u])on  them." 

PEEVIEW. 

It  is  not  the  historian's  business  to  touch  tlie  future. 
Tlic  past  is  his  realm.  Bat  can  we  not  see  the  light  from 
the  lamp  of  the  past  reliected  on  the  first  years  of  tlie  fu- 
ture'i'  We  have  seen  how  >[orth  (Carolina  Baptists  ha^'e 
more  tlian  doui)lod  thcur  liuudKU's  every  twenty  years.  If 
t]ic_y  sliould  do  the  same  for  the  next  twcuty  years,  in  ]1)20 
050,000  Baplisls  would  he  found  in  the  Slale;  in  ll»10, 
l,;]00,000;  in  l!)(;0,  i^,(iOO,()00 ;  in  ItiSO^  r.,-JOO,000 ;  in 
tlie  yoai-  ^2000  there  would  be  over  10,000,000  Jhiplists  in 
the  01(1  iSIorlli  Slate.  The  iigur(\s  of  llii'  jiast  wai-rant 
this  ])rediction,  and,  althougli  the  Ba[)(ists  of  the  State 
may  not  roach  this  strength  in  numbers  in  one  hundred 
3^ears,  yet  in  educational,  moral  and  religious  [)owcr  it  is 
reasonable  to  suppose  that  i^orth  Carolina  Baptists  can 
double  themselves  every  tweiity  years,  'i'heir  glorious 
past,  their  illustrious  present,  and  their  promising  pros- 
pects will  warrant  such  a  ]M'evie\\'  for  ilu^  Ba])tists  ol"  Xorth 
Cai'olina. 

But  there  are  obstacles  to  meet.  The  ]\lormons  have 
45  missionaries  in  tlic  State,  nearly  half  as  numy  as  the 


2  14  A  HISTORY  OF  TIIL-    EAPTISTvS. 

iJapiist  State  iJoard.  Tliey  have  made  GoldsLoro  their 
licadquarter.s.  Accordiu-  to  Presiding  Elder  Swenson, 
ol  the  iionnou  Church,  there  are  in  their  Soiuhern  States 
Mission  11  States  and  500  missionaries,  and  ]\^orth  Caro- 
lina is  regarded  as  tdie  ]nost  fertile  soil  for  Mormon  seed. 
iVlso,  the  Presbyterians,  lYorth,  are  spending  several  tTion- 
sand  dollars  in  AVestern  iN^orth  Carolina,  building  schools 
and  preparing  to  capture  the  young  people  of  the  moun- 
tains. Still,  the  Baptists,  witJi  their  present  position  in 
the  Avest,  can  hold  the  field  and  make  the  ^vest  a  strong- 
hold for  Baptists. 

John  E.  TJay  represented  'North  Carolina  Baptists  in 
llie  Jubilee  of  Missions  in  the  Southern  States,  in  1000. 
AVilli  their  past  to  cheer  them,  with  their  present  to  iiispire 
thorn,  and  Jehovali  to  lead  them,  the  Baptists  of  the  Old 
North^  State  will  nndce  the  entii'o  twentieth  century  a  glo- 
rious jubilee  of  progress  for  the  kingdom  of  God  on  earth. 
So  may  it  bo,  to  the  glory  of  the  ITeav(Milv  Kin-! 


DATE  DUE 

APR  1^ 

J:;  .    A^ 

JUL  12 

f§t-- 

1 

DEMCO    38-29 

7 

HECKMAN 

BINDERY  INC. 


} 


JUN  86 

N.  manche! 

INDIANA  4t 


